The Cabinet is to discuss plans to remove the threat of jail from people who refuse to pay water charges .
The proposals from the Departments of Justice and Environment will see annual penalties imposed on those who can't or won't pay a number of bills such as the water charge or TV licence.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin says people have to pay their bills - but there should be allowances made for genuine cases:
The Anti-Austerity Alliance claimed the government moves would not affect the anti-water charges campaign.
Deputy Paul Murphy urged people not to pay their charges, and claimed the legislation appears to only apply to the fines related to water charges not the charges itself.
