Legal challenge to water charges

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A legal challenge over controversial plans to introduce water rates in Northern Ireland has cleared the first hurdle in the High Court.

The General Consumer Council has been granted leave to apply for a judicial review on all but one of the 11 grounds of challenge.

The council claimed the public consultation process was flawed.

However, it has not been able to stop the legislation going through parliament on Monday.

The council effectively challenged the legality of the new law. It contended that the 12-week consultation period was cut short by two.

Due to the urgency of the matter, Mr Justice Weatherup will be holding an accelerated hearing next Thursday.

'Critical legislation'

BBC NI environment correspondent Mike McKimm said: "The consumer watchdog's target, stopping an Order in Council going through Westminster on Monday, was missed - allowing the critical legislation to set up a government-owned water company and begin water charges from next April.

"However, some experts suggest that the government could well change its mind on whether to proceed with the Order in the light of today's hearing.

"If the new legislation isn't presented in Westminster on Monday it could be months before it can get a new space in the parliamentary timetable, further delaying the start of water charges."

Steve Costello, Consumer Council chairman, said: "The Consumer Council believes that the consultation process relating to the draft Water and Sewerage (NI) Order 2006 is flawed and that is why we sought leave for a judicial review on behalf of all consumers here.

"The Consumer Council welcomes the court's decision that there is a case to be heard on how this water legislation consultation exercise has been conducted by the government.

"This is only the first step in this legal challenge. We look forward to coming back to court to continue to make the consumer voice heard on this important matter."

Water charges are scheduled to be introduced in 2007 in Northern Ireland.