Water Supply and Sanitation in The Republic of Ireland - History Since 1977

History Since 1977

The history of water supply in Ireland since the mid-1970s is dominated by controversies about whether domestic water should be charged for. Domestic water charges were first abolished in 1977, only to be reintroduced by some local governments following legislation in 1983 authorizing them to do so. An attempt to introduce domestic water charges in Dublin was foiled after an Anti-Water Charges Campaign in 1994-97. This resulted in a legal prohibition of domestic water charges at the national level. As of 2008, both the government and the two main opposition parties continue to oppose the introduction of domestic water charges. A proposed Water Services Bill 2003 has been stalled, partially because of allegations - denied by the government - that the Bill was a veiled attempt to introduce domestic water charges.

See also Economic history of the Republic of Ireland, Taxation in the Republic of Ireland