Something to remember
In the ongoing discussions over the future of Irish Water and forming a government, one thing to remember is that Fianna Fail is now a more rural party. They don’t have as much urban vote to lose:
The future of water charges is due to be discussed this week during negotiations between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and a number of independents and smaller parties.
A number of Fianna Fáil figures privately believe that the party went “too far” in its pre-election pledge to suspend charges and scrap the utility.
Rural TDs in particular say the issue is not one of concern among many of their constituents, who have been paying for water for years through group schemes. However, within urban areas, the issue is much more of a sore point.