The Irish Government is coming under pressure from Europe to introduce water charges.

The EU Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella has warned our Housing Minister, Simon Coveney, not to violate international water laws.

According to the Irish Daily Mail, Mr Coveney has asked for “time and space” to find an “enduring” funding model for water.

In December 2012 Ireland was fined €12,000 every day for failing to comply with an EU waste water directive.