The EU’s statistics agency Eurostat announced today that the financial model for the beleaguered State water utility failed to meet key EU rules. As the Government continues to spend hundreds of millions of euro on water meters, consultants’ fees, billing and other set-up costs for Irish Water, the EU is saying that bills for distressed households are not high enough in effect. Irish Water has been, and continues to be, a complete waste of money.

Fianna Fail is committed to dismantling this bloated entity that has no prospect of securing the confidence or support of the Irish public. The Fine Gael Labour coalition Government needs to recognise the extent of its failures with Irish Water. It is simply not credible to do otherwise.