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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Water charges: Almost 100 protests across Republic of Ireland | Water charges: Almost 100 protests across Republic of Ireland |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Campaigners opposed to the introduction of water charges in the Republic of Ireland are staging almost 100 separate protests across the state. | Campaigners opposed to the introduction of water charges in the Republic of Ireland are staging almost 100 separate protests across the state. |
| More than 20 of the demonstrations are being held in Dublin, against charges that were introduced last month. | More than 20 of the demonstrations are being held in Dublin, against charges that were introduced last month. |
| The controversial austerity measure is a key part of the government's plan to pay back the international financial bailout the state had to seek in 2010. | The controversial austerity measure is a key part of the government's plan to pay back the international financial bailout the state had to seek in 2010. |
| Households are due to receive their first water bills in January 2015. | Households are due to receive their first water bills in January 2015. |
| 'Had enough' | |
| Some of the hundreds of people attending a protest in Ringsend, Dublin, told the BBC they do not believe they should pay charges for something that is already free and paid for out of general taxation. | Some of the hundreds of people attending a protest in Ringsend, Dublin, told the BBC they do not believe they should pay charges for something that is already free and paid for out of general taxation. |
| Other protesters said they were opposed to the bonus culture in Irish Water - the company established last month to provide the service. | Other protesters said they were opposed to the bonus culture in Irish Water - the company established last month to provide the service. |
| Martin Kennedy said he was taking part in the protests because he wanted to send a message to the government. | |
| "Primarily, people are here today about water charges, but really it's about austerity. | |
| "We've simply had enough," he said. | |
| Worried | |
| Anita Stanley, who attended a demonstration in Dublin with her mother, also expressed her frustration at the government's policy. | |
| "I'm a young widow, like my mum Ann, and we're here just to say we've had enough," she said. | |
| "We can't afford to give any more." | |
| The Fine Gael/Labour coalition government is clearly worried about the scale of opposition. | The Fine Gael/Labour coalition government is clearly worried about the scale of opposition. |
| Irish Deputy Prime Minister (Tánaiste) Joan Burton has said the charges will be modest and capped. | Irish Deputy Prime Minister (Tánaiste) Joan Burton has said the charges will be modest and capped. |
| It is the second time in weeks that members of the public have staged mass protests over the controversial government policy. | It is the second time in weeks that members of the public have staged mass protests over the controversial government policy. |
| Last month, tens of thousands of people marched through Dublin to show their opposition. | Last month, tens of thousands of people marched through Dublin to show their opposition. |