Commenting on an issue that will have a significant impact on costs for the construction sector, the SDLP North Antrim MLA, Declan O'Loan has challenged Sinn Féin to stop claiming the credit for deferring water charges in Northern Ireland.
He said they should "admit they planned to introduce them in the first place".
He said: "Sinn Féin claim in their Westminster manifesto that they prevented the introduction of double household water charges and will oppose any plans to introduce them in the future. They say they have 'staved them off'.
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"When the SDLP voted against the three-year Sinn Féin/DUP budget in 2008 we argued that it did not make clear whether they planned to introduce water charges," said Mr O’Loan.
"Subsequently, correspondence from the Finance Minister revealed that Sinn Féín and the DUP intended to introduce water charges from April 2009 and their deferral had contributed to a multi-million pound hole in the budget.
"It is all very well claiming the credit for deferral of water charges, but it is wrong to refuse to acknowledge that Sinn Féin planned to introduce them in the first place and Sammy Wilson's letter last September is proof."
He continued: "The SDLP are the only party who can say with any conviction that our opposition to new separate water charges has been absolutely consistent.
"The introduction of water charges would plunge many hard-pressed families into severe poverty.
"We already pay for our water through our rates and rather than double charging us when we can hardly afford it we must make it a clear component of our rates bill."
(NS/BMcC)
