Kelly robs the hard left of publicity by removing threat of jail

After weeks of to-ing and fro-ing, Alan Kelly’s water compliance measures finally go to Cabinet today.

The main friction seemed to be between the Labour deputy leader and his boss, Joan Burton, who wasn't keen on proposals to deduct charges from wages and welfare.

The package has been broadly finalised for some time, and those around Kelly could scarcely contain their satisfaction with the political manoeuvre they had pulled.

Under the new measures, people will no longer face the threat of jail for non payment of fines.

So, anyone on the far left hoping to gain notoriety for a stretch in the slammer - a la Joe Higgins and Clare Daly - will be left disappointed.

Attachment orders to welfare and wages are included but financial penalties for non-payment would not kick in until after the election.

The measures, which have been worked on with Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald, are part of wider reforms to penalties for non-payment, not only of water charges, but fees owed to other Government agencies.

It was being speculated late on Tuesday that the new broadcasting charge could be one of those to come under the scope of Fitzgerald’s legislation.

So Kelly has two reasons to be satisfied.

He has robbed the hard left of the possibility of more publicity by removing the threat of jail, while also blunting their charge of oppressive State machinery being out to get the anti-water charges movement.

And, in a style reminiscent of his predecessor in the Department of the Environment, Phil Hogan, he has also passed some responsibility for the unpopular measures to a colleague.

Some in Coalition circles expressed bafflement at how Fitzgerald had allowed herself get tied into the whole issue of water charges, providing political cover to Kelly in the process.

It’s no wonder Kelly is so happy with himself.