EU: water charges must return - even after review

The EU Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella

The EU has sent a strong signal to the Government's Expert Water Commission that it must include some form of water charges in its recommendations.

The Commission was set up under the Government deal between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil to examine the vexed issue and is due to report next month.

The parties are opposed on the issue, with Fine Gael insisting charges are required to invest in water and sewerage services, while Fianna Fáil wants them abolished at least until services are brought up to an acceptable standard.

A response from the Brussels' executive on the Expert Commission signals a big battle which will emerge shortly as the Dáil must again debate the report recommendations.

The EU's Environment Commissioner, Karmenu Vella, in his first comment on the workings of the Expert Commission, has said he expects "a robust water-funding" regime which respects EU rules.

Mr Vella has already said that Ireland's EU exemption to water charges had automatically expired when charges were first imposed in 2015, and the country was now bound by the Water Framework Directive (WFD) which makes charges mandatory.

In reply to questions to Dublin Fine Gael MEP Brian Hayes, the Environment Commissioner acknowledged that the Government had informed him about the review work of the Expert Water Commission set up after charges were suspended.

"The Commission reiterated to the Irish authorities its view on the requirements of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the need for Ireland to establish a robust funding system that secures the long-term quality of water and water services, especially that investment in water is clearly acknowledged as necessary by the Irish authorities themselves," he said.

"It is now for the Expert Water Commission to get on with its task of assessing the funding of domestic public water services in Ireland and to make recommendations to the Irish parliament on water pricing policy which comply with WFD requirements and allow Ireland to be able to finance the necessary improvements in water quality and infrastructure," Mr Vella added.

Mr Hayes welcomed the statement and said the European Commission had stuck to its line that Ireland must adhere to water charges in line with the Water Framework Directive.

"For the Commission, a water pricing policy means that there has to be some kind of a water charge based on consumption," the Dublin MEP said.

Irish Independent