No plan for return to water charges, says Minister

A return to water charges is not on the cards at this time, according to the Minister in charge of housing and local government.

In a statement issued this morning in response to reports in the national media that water charges are to be re-introduced in a bid to curb excessive water usage, Minister James Brown has said he is "not giving consideration at this time to bringing in such charges."

The statement added that "no proposal" has been brought to the Minister in relation to water charges, and pointed out that such charges "do not form part of the current programme for government".

Minister Brown said he is aware that work began under the previous government on draft regulations for excessive water use charges, and added that this work was undertaken as part of the commitment under the previous programme for government. This previous work was reflected in the Ministerial Briefing (recently published) he received upon taking office.

"The Minister is focused on implementing the Programme for Government and in particular he is focused on increasing the delivery of more homes which is his highest priority" concluded the statement.