Irish Water collects under 50% of water bill charges Published duration 15 July 2015

image caption Ireland has no shortage of water but its water infrastructure falls short of international standards

Irish Water has confirmed that less than half of households billed for water had paid by the due date.

In its first billing cycle, it collected 30.5m euros (£21m), compared with about 67m euros (£47m) that was due.

In April, the company sent bills to 1.7m households. Irish Water said 675,000 households had paid so far and it had received 46% of payments due.

Anti-water bill campaigners are claiming a victory.

But the company defended the rate of payments, calling it "a solid start".

Head of communications Elizabeth Arnett said: "Typically, in well-established UK water utilities, customers take an average of three months to pay a water bill.

"No reminders have been issued to our customers and yet we have a payment rate that is broadly in line with what would be expected for a new utility sending out a new bill for the first time.

"This represents a solid start for Irish Water".

However, those opposed to water charges have said that the figures represent a victory for them.

Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald said it signalled to the Irish government in no uncertain terms that the majority of the people do not support water charges.

Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy said it represented "a massive victory for people power" and that a clear majority of people have sent a message that they will not pay these charges.

Householders who refuse to pay face fines.