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Despite claims by Environment Minister Alan Kelly that the public is coming around to support the Government’s water tax, new figures reveal that fewer than half of households paid water charges by the due date.

Fees collected by the Galway and city county councils could end up in the coffers of Irish Water, and away from vital local projects and maintenance.

If a high number of people refuse to pay the first four water bills issued between next month and July 2016, any incoming government will be under “huge pressure to scrap the charges altogether”.

Civil servants were accused of being ‘highly paid, underworked, living in an ivory tower, hatching crazy plans and taking no regard of what people want’ at Monday’s meeting of Galway County Council.

Only one property has been purchased through the National mortgage-to-rent in Galway city and county since it was launched in 2012, indicating the scheme “has failed those in mortgage distress”.

The appointment of two senior local authority staff to Galway County Council and one to Galway City Council will “assist greatly in the delivery and roll-out of social housing”.

The possibility of a long term bathing ban at Ballyloughane Beach has again highlighted the urgent need for investment in the country’s water infrastructure, according to local Fine Gael TD Brian Walsh.

Not only is the Government building a “small number” of houses over six years to deal with the current crisis, but it is determined to “copper-fasten” insecurity of tenure as an integral part of its housing policy.

Galway City Council workers are being called on to down tools and refuse to carry out preparatory work for the installation of water meters on behalf of Irish Water.

An extra 3,000 homes will have to be built if demands for housing are to be met in Galway, meaning the housing crisis is set to escalate further unless serious action is taken.