Fine Gael Environment Minister Phil Hogan, who announced the initial plans for a household charge and payment for water use, openly criticised the subversive campaign.
[5][6] It established a "national anti-household tax" phone line and organised meetings in every major town in the country.
"[7] On 1 May 2013, Gardaí arrested five members of the group, including Ted Tynan and Mick Barry, during a midday protest inside the Patrick Street branch of the Bank of Ireland in Cork city.
[10] A 20-metre exclusion zone was granted to ensure the safety of workers being harassed by groups who objected to consumers being charged for their water use.
Some engineers were held in a van for over twelve hours without access to food, water or toilet facilities.