JUNIOR MINISTER FINIAN McGrath has said that he will pay his water charges, after it emerged this week that he had yet to do so.

The Independent TD released a statement this evening confirming that he would pay the charges.

McGrath and his fellow Independent Alliance TD John Halligan both came in for criticism from senior figures in Fine Gael including the Taoiseach on Wednesday after it emerged that they had not paid their charges.

When questioned, McGrath said this evening that he was still “deeply sceptical” about Irish Water and the service that it could deliver, but that he would pay the charges in order not the distract from his new duties.

“The manner in which Irish Water was set up and its approach remains personally unacceptable to me,” said McGrath.

 I’m still deeply sceptical about the motives and the ability of the service to deliver.

McGrath said that he was aware of the review process that was in place to determine the future of water charges and that his not paying would not greatly change the situation.

“I know that priorities must be set and I do not believe that my not paying the water charge at this stage will greatly alter the situation for Irish Water,” he said.

The debate has moved on and it will be a matter for Dáil Eireann in due course.

It is clear to me that not paying the charge will become a significant distraction to other important work and I’m determined that this will not be allowed to happen.

To that end I will now regularise my situation with Irish Water and pay my charges.

Read: Enda Kenny tells new ministers to pay their water charges

Read: People who have paid water charges won’t get their money back – Fianna Fáil TD