CRU approves 9.8% hike in water charges for businesses
Industry bodies have expressed concerns about the hike, which will come into effect from the start of October.
The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) said this is just one example of how increased operating costs are undermining the viability of businesses.
"Over a two-year period, the average 70-bedroom hotel in Ireland will have seen an increase of over 40% in water tariffs," said Michael Magner, IHF President.
"This is unsustainable given the exceptionally challenging environment in which hotels and other hospitality businesses are currently operating."
According to Mr Magner, the hospitality sector is disproportionately impacted by increases in water charges, which he said businesses are unable to absorb.
"The cumulative impact of these and other cost increases now poses a serious threat to the viability of many businesses through our wider tourism and hospitality sector.
"It is now imperative that the Government tackles these increases head on and delivers targeted measures to enhance cost competitiveness and support business viability," he added.
Mr Magner said the industry is particularly concerned about the potential for further annual increases through to 2029.
"We are calling for a fairer funding model that supports the long-term sustainability of Irish water services, while maintaining cost competitiveness for SMEs," he added.
In its decision published yesterday, the CRU said the increased water charges are necessary to ensure the reliability, efficiency and sustainability of water services.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Agriland
2 hours ago
- Agriland
Tanaiste Outlines Steps Govt Taking in Mercosur Negotiations
The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris has said that he has discussed international trade developments, including the Mercosur agreement, with his counterparts from France and Germany, among others. The Tánaiste was asked about the steps he is taking to protect environmental and agricultural interests in the Mercosur trade negotiations by Social Democrats TD, Sinéad Gibney yesterday (July 10). According to the Tánaiste, EU Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) support more opportunity for trade and investment, help support jobs and growth at home, maintain strict EU standards on food safety, animal and plant health, and support better environmental and human rights standards around the world. He said: "The government is committed to supporting free, fair and open trade. Indeed, recent developments in the global trading environment have highlighted the importance of market diversification via an expanded set of EU free trade agreements. "We have always been clear, that such agreements must defend our most vulnerable sectors and that our farmers' livelihoods must not be undermined through weak or ineffective environmental standards in other countries." "Our position is clearly outlined in the Programme for Government, which states that the government will work with like-minded EU countries to stand up for Irish farmers and defend our interests in opposing the current Mercosur trade deal," The Tánaiste explained. The Tánaiste claims, that during trade negotiations, the government has always been guided by "standing up for and defending the interests of Irish farmers", along with securing enhanced market access opportunities for them and Irish agri-food exports. He explained: "Since the commission announced the conclusion of negotiations, officials from my department and other departments, have been working together to carefully analyse the text of the additional legal instrument addressing sustainability commitments. "I and my officials have continued to engage at EU level, with both the European Commission and with counterparts in EU Member States, including like-minded countries, to voice our concerns with the agreement and to interrogate the outcome of negotiations to assess if our concerns have been adequately addressed." "In recent weeks and months, I have discussed international trade developments including the Mercosur agreement with my counterparts from France and Germany, among others," the Tánaiste added. The Tánaiste highlighted that the government is still awaiting the European Commission's presentation of the final, consolidated agreement. He explained that engagements with the European Commission are ongoing as the government seeks "sufficient clarification" on the priority areas in advance of any final decision on the agreement.
Agriland
2 hours ago
- Agriland
Watch Mercosur Deal Will Not Destroy Eu Agriculture Costa
The President of the European Council has said that the EU-Mercosur trade deal will not destroy European agriculture. Speaking in the European Parliament this morning, president Antonio Costa urged EU countries to 'move forward and sign' the Mercosur deal by the end of the year. Last December a political agreement was reached between the EU and the founding members of Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay). But the deal still needs to be ratified by EU member countries including Ireland which is concerned about its potential impact on Irish agriculture and the environment. The European Council, guided by unity in the diversity of our nations, works hand in hand with the Commission and this Parliament. Together we are strengthening our defence, reinforcing our competitiveness, and defending our values and interests globally. — António Costa (@eucopresident) July 9, 2025 Today President Costa told MEPs the EU should focus on the 'long-term benefits' of the deal for Europe. "The Mercosur agreement's quota for beef represents 1.6%, I repeat... 1.6% of the total European beef production," Costa said. "This is also less than half of our current imports from Mercosur. This will simply not be able to destroy European agriculture. "If we want to export our social and environmental standards, the way to do this is through trade agreements because tariffs don't spread standards, trade agreements do. "This is the message that Europe should send to the world, while others raise barriers, we build bridges, so let's move forward and sign the Mercosur agreement by the end of this year " he added. Amidst ongoing discussions around the EU-Mercosur trade deal, a recent report showed that EU-Mercosur trade was 'up substantially in the last decade'. The report from Eurostat outlined that, in 2024, the EU imported €56 billion-worth of goods, a 4.2% increase on 2023. The EU also exported €55.2 billion-worth of goods to the four countries last year – a 1.3% decrease compared to 2023 exports. According to the report, in 2024, the largest Mercosur partner measured by its share in total EU trade – both imports and exports – was Brazil followed by Argentina. The controversial Mercosur trade agreement would allow an additional 99,000t of beef enter the EU tariff-free from Mercosur countries Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia. The political agreement will open up the EU market to goods from Mercosur, but limits imports from those countries of 'sensitive agricultural products' such as beef, ethanol, pork, honey, sugar and poultry. The Tánaiste has confirmed that 'engagements' are continuing with the European Commission over the Mercosur trade deal and that the government will seek 'sufficient clarification' on priority areas before any final decision on the deal.
Agriland
2 hours ago
- Agriland
Almost E440000 Issued Under Horticulture Investment Scheme
Scheme opened in wake of unprecedented levels of damage from Storm Éowyn. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has paid out around€440,000 under the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector this year. The scheme aims to help in the development of the Irish horticulture sector, including beekeeping, by grant aiding capital investments in specialised plant and equipment. The scheme reopened for applications in February following Storm Éowyn which resulted in unprecedented levels of damage for some growers in the horticulture sector. Minister of State with responsibility for horticulture Michael Healy-Rae recently told Sinn Féin TD Conor D. McGuinness that a total of 164 applications had been approved by July 17, resulting in €438,645 in payments. However, the minister said this figure does "not represent total amounts for 2025". He also reminded scheme applicants that they have until October 31, 2025 to complete their projects and submit their completed claims for payment. The following table provides an update on the number of approvals and the amounts paid up to July 17 under the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector: County Number of approvals Amount paid to July 17 Carlow 3 €16,400 Cavan 2 - Clare 2 - Cork 12 €18,458 Donegal 6 - Galway 9 - Kerry 8 €1,841 Kildare 8 - Kilkenny 5 €197,200 Laois 2 - Limerick 6 - Longford 2 - Louth 9 - Mayo 1 - Meath 11 €5,103 Monaghan 4 - Offaly 2 - Tipperary 7 - Waterford 5 - Westmeath 3 - Wexford 18 €17,413 Wicklow 5 €8,880 Total 164 €438,645 Source: DAFM The minister also confirmed that €15,859 has been paid out to date under the schemes providing investment aid for innovation and diversification in horticulture These measures provide grant aid for capital investments in specialised plant and equipment to micro and by funding fundamental studies, industrial studies, and experimental development and feasibility studies. So far, the department has approved 13 application for the schemes from counties Cork (2); Dublin (2); Kilkenny (1); Limerick (1); Monaghan (3); Tipperary (2), and Wexford (2). Minister Healy-Rae said that applicants have until November 1, 2025 to complete their approved projects and submit their claim for payment to the department.
