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Lots of people say they won't pay their water charges

An Ipsos MRBI poll in this morning’s Irish Times finds that less than half of voters intend to pay.

A THIRD OF households will refuse to pay their water charges next year, according to a new poll.

This morning’s Ipsos MRBI poll in the Irish Times says that 33 per cent of households have said they will not pay the charges while less than half – 48 per cent – intend to pay.

Eleven per cent are undecided and 8 per cent said the issue does not apply to them.

Unsurprisingly the poll shows that better off voters are more likely to pay with those at the other end of the income scale less likely to comply. It also shows that older people are more likely to pay with younger people less likely to pay their Irish Water bill.

Responding to the poll findings this morning, Environment Minister Alan Kelly told RTÉ that over 920,000 people had been in contact with Irish Water with a dramatic increase in registrations in the last two weeks.

“For those who don’t pay their bills, there will be fines, they will be active after 15 months,” he said today of sanctions facing those who don’t pay when water bills arrive next spring.

The poll also found that 60 per cent of voters did not believe the protest against Joan Burton in Jobstown last month was peaceful.

Only 24 per cent said the controversial protest was peaceful. Sixteen per cent had either no opinion or were unaware of the protest.

The Right2Water campaign is planning a mass demonstration against water charges in Dublin next Wednesday.

The Anti-Austerity Alliance/Socialist TD Ruth Coppinger told Morning Ireland said the “vast majority of people” are opposed to water charges.

She said: “Just because people intend to pay doesn’t mean they support the water charges. May of them are paying out of fear because we’ve had a government that has been trying to impose fear on people.”

Read: Alan Kelly cancelled a meeting with councillors about homelessness because of water charges

Read: Here’s how much money local authorities have given to Irish Water

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196 Comments
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    Mute Gordon Hughes
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    Jan 5th 2020, 9:04 AM

    Best way to dispose of a Christmas tree is to bring it out your back garden and launch it in your neighbours garden, then act like you know nothing about it if they say anything, this is also a green eco friendly way too as you don’t need to drive anywhere in your car …. Your welcome

    424
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    Mute Fergal O'Hagan
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    Jan 5th 2020, 10:20 AM

    @Gordon Hughes: *YOU’RE

    85
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    Mute Gordon Hughes
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    Jan 5th 2020, 11:16 AM

    @Fergal O’Hagan: you’re boring…. See I learn quickly

    141
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    Mute Fergal O'Hagan
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    Jan 5th 2020, 11:50 AM

    @Gordon Hughes: you are welcome!

    15
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    Mute Gordon Hughes
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    Jan 5th 2020, 4:50 PM

    @Fergal O’Hagan: you are still drab.. I’m flying now

    12
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    Mute Sean Ryan
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    Jan 5th 2020, 9:29 AM

    My local secondary school offers collection and disposal for €10. The boys collect it and the profit goes towards the school football club.

    158
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    Mute Jane Alford
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    Jan 5th 2020, 10:31 AM

    @Sean Ryan: Best to let it completely dry out first…

    6
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    Mute Vladimir Macro
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    Jan 5th 2020, 10:37 AM

    @Sean Ryan: scandalous

    6
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    Mute Wheresmyjumper
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    Jan 5th 2020, 9:17 AM

    I’m throwing mine over the back wall and letting nature take care of it, it’s a tree i reckon driving it to the council drop off would have more of a negative impact on the environment

    98
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    Mute Gordon Hughes
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    Jan 5th 2020, 11:21 AM

    @Wheresmyjumper: I said that already

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    Mute Tim McCormack29
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    Jan 5th 2020, 8:06 AM

    I am going cut it up and burn it in my stove..

    231
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    Mute dublindamo
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    Jan 5th 2020, 9:32 AM

    @Tim McCormack29: didn’t think this type of green tree was good for a stove

    38
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    Mute Gussy Hughes
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    Jan 5th 2020, 10:03 AM

    @dublindamo: Ah damo, it’s only once a year. Everything in moderation!

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    Mute Whoswho
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    Jan 5th 2020, 3:26 PM

    @Gussy Hughes: Who answers all these polls? Get a life!

    1
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    Mute Brendan Doherty
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    Jan 5th 2020, 10:08 AM

    Mine is recycled in the attic ready for next year no harm to the environment at all

    51
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    Mute Marie Louise Ryan
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    Jan 5th 2020, 11:43 AM

    @Brendan Doherty: only its made of plastic

    25
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    Mute Chris lynch
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    Jan 5th 2020, 11:47 AM

    @Marie Louise Ryan: a plastic one is environmentally neutral if you keep it for about 10 years. Wasn’t there an article here about that recently?

    56
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    Mute Colm Curran
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    Jan 5th 2020, 9:52 AM

    I’ll treecycle mine I’ll get my coat

    40
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    Mute Shane Freeney
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    Jan 5th 2020, 9:40 AM

    My Goats are loving it they will be munching for days

    33
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    Mute Aonghus OReilly
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    Jan 5th 2020, 11:47 AM

    @Shane Freeney: You said goatmunching.

    13
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    Mute Eugene Comaskey
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    Jan 5th 2020, 10:29 AM

    Trees melt away after they are felled if left alone , just throw it at the back of the ditch.

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    Mute Liam Mc Meel
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    Jan 5th 2020, 8:07 AM

    No

    20
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    Mute Misty Eyed Mutton
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    Jan 5th 2020, 4:09 PM

    One of my footmen is towing the 60 footer as I type.

    14
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    Mute Datalore
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    Jan 5th 2020, 9:54 PM

    Bound mine in a few black refuse sacks and brought it to Corkagh Park. Looks like a body bag

    5
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    Mute Anthony Mc Donald
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    Jan 5th 2020, 3:50 PM

    I don’t buy fresh Xmas trees have my personal reasons as in environmentally

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    Mute Morning Gus
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    Jan 5th 2020, 10:15 PM

    Why do you want to know this?

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    Mute Garykelly
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    Jan 5th 2020, 10:25 PM

    Yeah we heard you the first time chief

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    Mute Rory M
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    Jan 5th 2020, 11:56 AM

    There is lots of drop of points for old real xmas trees and its usually designated to the corner of a field The Council , corporation , fingal etc all are involved and the shredded trees get re used in the gardening sector , so it makes sense to look up your local authority NO MATTER whether your on Southside, Northside or any part of dublin .
    USE AND RECYCLE

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    Mute Datalore
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    Jan 5th 2020, 9:54 PM

    Bound mine in a few black refuse sacks and brought it to Corkagh Park. Looks like a body bag

    1
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    Mute Datalore
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    Jan 5th 2020, 9:54 PM

    Bound mine in a few black refuse sacks and brought it to Corkagh Park

    1
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    Mute Morning Gus
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    Jan 5th 2020, 11:07 PM

    @Datalore: Come again!!!

    6
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