National water protest demonstration gathers steam
Preparations are underway for a national demonstration against water charges.
Two of the country's largest trade unions, Unite and Mandate, are organising a march to take place in Dublin City Centre on Saturday, October 11.
They're calling on the Government to scrap water charges, which came into effect yesterday, saying the charges are unconstitutional and a breach of human rights.
"I think the Irish citizenry have taken enough of austerity and taken enough of lecturing. I think this is a step too far," said Brendan Ogle, spokesperson for the Right2Water campaign.
"I'm very confident that in in time - by the time we have a new Government, 18 - 19 months from now, we will see this legislation unravelling,"
"People will not agree to continually fund and pay this tax."
A family with 13 children in Carrickmacross in Co Monaghan have discovered that based on current usage, their water bill is set to be almost €4,000 a year.
Paul and Edel Maher say their household uses over one million litres of water per year.
But despite the water allowance of 30,000 litres per household - plus the 21,000 litre allowance for each of their 13 children, the family still faces a bill of €3,930 a year.
