Galway Labour has reacted angrily to Green Minister for Natural Resources Eamon Ryan raising the possibility of the reintroduction of domestic water charges.
Labour member Niall McNelis accused the Green party of “kite flying” and changing its position.
“The Labour Party are implacably opposed to any move to reintroduce water charges for households,” he said. “Labour abolished water charges in the Rainbow government in 1996 and we would oppose any attempt to reverse that move.”
Mr McNelis said the right to clean, potable water should be established under Irish law and that legislation should be brought forward to require local authorities to develop strategic water plans for their area.
