Would water charges help tackle shortages across the country? 

The introduction of the charges was one of the most controversial policies of the Fine Gael-Labour Government between 2011 and 2016. 

For years, thousands regularly thronged the streets of the capital to protest against the charges. 

While Fine Gael was re-elected in 2016, the loathed charges were abandoned by the Government the following year. 

A large crowd of Anti Water Charges protestors. Picture by: RollingNews.ie

However, in recent years Uisce Éireann has struggled to cope with demand - especially during periods of dry weather. 

On Lunchtime Live, listeners were asked whether charges would help cut unnecessary consumption. 

It was an idea that Fine Gael Councillor Shane O’Callaghan said he would be “totally opposed” to. 

“I think the best way to get people to cut back on consumption is through information campaigns and things like that,” he said. 

“I don’t think most people overconsume.” 

A woman filling a glass of water from the kitchen sink tap. Picture by: incamerastock / Alamy

Cllr O’Callaghan added that the Irish people do not want water charges and that “we’re a democracy”. 

“I think that giving water charges to Uisce Éireann/Irish Water would be rewarding bad behaviour,” he said. 

“Because my understanding is they’re already awash with money; they’re very inefficient in how it’s spent. 

“They’re also very unaccountable; we were trying to get them into Cork City Council to explain their failure to provide proper services, proper information to residents and things like that. 

“Eventually, they did come in but strictly on the basis that it was behind closed doors.” 

He added that water charges are not needed as Uisce Éireann is “awash with money”. 

“If they spent that money efficiently, they wouldn’t need to even be talking about water charges,” he said. 

Main image: A dripping tap. Picture by: Yuri Arcurs / Alamy Stock Photo