Joe O'Toole Source: RollingNews.ie

JOE O’TOOLE HAS stepped down as chairman of the commission investigating the water situation in Ireland.

O’Toole’s resignation was widely expected after intense criticism followed an interview he gave to the Irish Examiner in which he said he thought people should pay their water charges.

In a statement, O’Toole said he had intended to stay on as the chair of the commission until Minister for the Environment Simon Coveney “informed me that the main opposition party would not cooperate with government on this and related issues for as long as I remained in the chair”.

Despite the support of Minister Coveney this is a situation I am not prepared to countenance and therefore I am withdrawing from the position.

I thank Minister Coveney for his confidence in me and in wishing the commission and my successor every success I hope that they will receive the kind of support they deserve.