This afternoon in the Dáil the Tánaiste Joan Burton appeared to confirm that a family of four would face water charges of less than €200.
However, this evening a spokesperson for the Tánaiste has reiterated that Ms Burton was just offering her view, and not an official government statement.
During questions in the Dáil earlier today, Ms Burton was asked by Socialist TD Joe Higgins if a family of four, including two children aged 18 and 19, would face a bill of just under €500.
Ms Burton said in response: “I am perfectly happy to say that it is my view that the charge in relation to the type of family or the type of household you have indicated will be below €200.”
The spokesperson for the Tánaiste later said this was just Ms Burton’s view and “the issue hasn’t been settled.” That stance was also expressed by a spokesperson for the Taoiseach.
LISTEN: Newstalk’s Páiric Gallagher reports in full on the day's Irish Water events and on why the government, despite promising clarity, “is providing plenty of confusion”:
