Speaking in the Seanad Sinn Féin Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh slammed the Water Services Bill 2013 and said it is an "inherently flawed and draconian document".

He said: "The Bill takes control of water services away from local authorities and transfers it to Irish Water.

"This new company will be given power to install water meters and to charge families for the water they use.

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"The Bill makes no provision for people on low incomes or for those living in poverty. In other words, under this legislation poor households will be charged the same for their water as An Taoiseach Edna Kenny.

"This is shameful and it betrays a complete and utter lack of consciousness around issues to do with environmental justice.

"Sinn Fein is against the privatisation of water and against the introduction of water charges.

"The establishment of Irish Water and the imposition of water meters and water charges is at best ill thought out.

"Sinn Féin calls for the establishment of a National Water Sector Framework Team to oversee governance and capital investment in the sector."

(CD/IT)