The Sinn Féin spokesperson on the environment, community and local government, Brian Stanley TD, has today slammed the government for forcing households to pay over €700 for water meters.

Deputy Stanley said: "Comments made by An Taoiseach today clearly show that Fine Gael is driving ahead with their agenda of water charges. The Labour Party must clarify where they stand on this issue.

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"We now have a situation whereby the coalition-of-the-confused is forcing families to pay for water meters and water charges simply to meet the demands of Fine Gael's privatisation agenda.

"Despite the fact that the consultation process on reform of the water sector is far from over, the government is happy to undermine the process and bring it to a predetermined conclusion.

"This approach has been wholly unacceptable and any attempt to force households to pay for water will be opposed every inch of the way by Sinn Féin. The government clearly has not learned its lesson from the septic tank and household charge debacle."

(CD)