There was widespread outrage last night as it was revealed that Irish politicians will not have to pay water charges on their second homes.
On the eve of one of the most talked about and controversial implementation of charges, it was revealed that cabinet and junior ministers plus the Attorney General are exempt from paying the €125 charge thanks to a law that dates back to 1997.
The news was met with disbelief and anger by thousands of families across Ireland who will all be facing water levies from today.
“This outrageous revelation is another smack in the face to hundreds of thousands of families out there who will face water charges,” said Sinn Fein’s Pearse Doherty.
“To my knowledge, Enda Kenny and his ministers are the only people who will be able to claim back their water charges from their tax bill.”
The 1997 law allows the minister to claim a €3,500 tax deduction on top of the cost of their second homes – and it was confirmed yesterday that the €125 charge for their second homes can also be claimed.
The news comes in the wake of new figures released by the Commission for Energy Regulation yesterday which showed that the average charge for two adults will be €278 a year – €35 more than the government had originally promised.
The first bill from the newly-introduced charges will come through the doors of households around the country in January.
