Simon Coveney speaking to reporters at Leinster House this evening.

Simon Coveney speaking to reporters at Leinster House this evening.

HOUSING MINISTER SIMON Coveney hassaid he will not legislate for the water committees agreement if it doesnt include a charge for excessive usage.

The majority of those on the Oireachtas joint committee on the future funding of water services have indicated that they are in favour of abolishing domestic charges and are opposed to charging for the excessive use of water.

In a private meeting, TDs discussed the committees draft report with Fianna Fil, Sinn Fin and AAA-PBP agreeing that there should be no re-introduction of charges.

I will not introduce legislation that potentially exposes the country to very severe penalties and fines from the European Commission I wont do that, Coveney told reporters tonight.

EU law

Last year, the European Commission said Ireland will be in breach of European law should it remove the charges completely.

Wehave clear advice from Attorney Generals Office, I have legal advice from my own department and the expert commissions advice that was very clear and we have a European Commission that has shown flexibility and willingness to work with Ireland, but are also clear that there has to be some consequences for households wasting large amounts of water, he said.

Coveney said Fine Gael is willing to compromise, but added that other parties have to be prepared to follow suit.

We have compromised on the Fine Gael view very significantly, and were asking other parties seeking a working solution to do the same.

If that compromise involves exposing the State to legal action, I dont think as an office holder I can facilitate that, said the minister.

Fianna Fils position

He said Fianna Fil had hardened its position on the issue, and accused the party of altering its stance on charges in recent days.

What Fianna Fil seem to be saying today is that it is okay by them for the general taxpayer to waste water that wasnt the Fianna Fil position until a few days ago.

Coveney insisted tonight that the work of the committee isnt finished, adding that he still wants consensus.

When asked what the outcome would be if the committees final recommendation was for the total abolition of all water charges, he said:

I would be very surprised if Fianna Fil asked a government minister to introduce something that was against the AGs [Attorney General's] advice.

We cannot ignore independent legal advice it is hugely irresponsible to ask us to do that.

Breaching confidence and supply agreement

Coveney said Fine Gael were not breaching the confidence and supply agreement (the deal between Fianna Fil and Fine Gael which essentially keeps the government in power).

The agreement was never intended to instruct a minister to act contrary to the advice of the Attorney General, he said.

We will continue to abide by it and I hope Fianna Fil will too.

The agreement states that the government will facilitate the passage of legislation for the implementation of the recommendations in relation to domestic water charging (whether it be abolition, a reformed charging regime or other options).

This line was put to the minister this evening and he was asked what would happen if the Oireachtas approved and voted in favour of the abolition of the water charges regime.

Facilitating is not the same as introducing, he clarified.

What I am saying is I cannot introduce legislation that I regard as effectively illegal.

Bullying the committee

Sinn Fin spokesperson on water Eoin Broin has accused the minister of trying to bully the Oireachtas Water Committee.

Tonights intervention by Minister Coveney prior to the Committee concluding our business is wholly inappropriate. He is trying to bully the Committee with exaggerated claims on the supposed illegality of complete abolition of water charges.

While a final decision is expected tomorrow or next week it is clear that the Government is losing the argument.

The minister should stop interfering in the work of the Committee. He should adhere to the process he set up and respect the outcome of the Committee.

He said the minister will have plenty of time to respond to the committees final report when it is debated by the Dil and Seanad later this month.

OBroin said Coveneys attempts to influence the outcome of the committees deliberations is wrong and smacks of desperation.

The committee of 20 TDs is expected to finalise its report either tomorrow or next week ahead of a Dil vote which is due to take place by the end of March.

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Coveney says he will not legislate for water charges abolition as it would be illegal - thejournal.ie