I was in Heuston last weekend and was shocked to discover that you have to pay to use the public toilets there. How do IE get away with that in this day and age?

You obviously don't get out much?!

Cleaning and maintaining the toilets costs money.

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It's meant to deter drug users and sexual deviants congregating apparently!

And it's the same in St. Stephen's Green Shopping Centre, and in train stations all around London (and possibly other British train stations too).

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Heavy words are so lightly thrown.

Not much to Heuston, no. I've never been charged to use the lav in a bar or restaurant!

Paying to 'spend a penny' has become increasingly the norm in the UK and Ireland because :

1 - as David points out, it costs money to provide these facilities,

2 - it deters vandals and other undesirables, and

3 - it encourages respect for a valuable public utility.

With respect David, I would have thought their overcharging patrons for crappy services would have cover maintenance costs.

Schoolboy error

The ones in The Galway Hooker are free.

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That's because you generally have to be a customer to use those facilities, that is to say, you're already giving them your money. In train stations, people can and do walk in off the street to use the facilities, to take shelter, etc. There is no guarantee that the price of cleaning the toilets will be covered, as there is no guarantee that those using them will be contributing monetarily towards the upkeep.

And given the frequency with which train stations become populated be weirdos and winos at night, the above argument becomes even more compelling.

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Heavy words are so lightly thrown.