A number of files at the Public Record Office in Belfast show the planning that was undertaken for the potential introduction of domestic water metering by the Labour government during a period of direct rule. The files reveal a meeting between Northern Ireland ministers Angela Smith and Ian Pearson in November 2002 to discuss the “future financing and structure of Water Service”. The note said: “Both ministers agreed that it will be vital not to discuss any prospect of water charges in isolation from reform plans for Water Service. Later, a policy proposal paper was drawn up which said household water metering was intended to begin on April 1 2007. The proposal sent to Northern Ireland minister Shaun Woodward said there would be “both positive and negative reaction” to the plans.

Source: The Herald December 30, 2025 11:45 UTC