Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Tánaiste's thinking appears to have shifted fundamentally.  Six months after the last local elections, he approached the matter from the citizen's perspective, but he is now approaching it from that of the utilities.  In October 2009 he stated the following about water charges: "One concern with this proposal is that we could be informed in six or 12 months time that the cost of metering is very high, that there are practical difficulties associated with the allowance and that the Government would go ahead with the introduction of a flat water charge."  It is now estimated that 75% will be subject to a flat charge.  Where has the concern the Tánaiste so clearly expressed in 2009 gone?  In 2010 the Taoiseach - I am quoting-----

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