The Sinn Féin spokesperson on the Environment Brian Stanley TD has called on Minister Phil Hogan to make a public statement regarding his knowledge of the budget allocated to the establishment of Irish Water.

Deputy Stanley was speaking after a Dáil Committee meeting which was informed by Irish Water Managing Director John Tierney that the Minister was aware of the €180 million required. This included €80 million on consultancy.

Deputy Stanley said: "There is a private members debate on Irish Water in the Dáil tomorrow and I would urge that Minister Hogan uses that opportunity to clarify what he knew about the funding to be provided to establish Irish Water. It is clear now that he was aware of the sums involved even though questions from myself and other TDs were unanswered.

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"Minister for State Fergus O’Dowd on Sunday denied that he was aware of the budget. Minister Hogan needs to clarify whether it was oversight or political cynicism which led them to conceal the fact that they had knowledge of the budget.

"It is clear now that the Minister did have the information requested but chose not to make it available. He needs to explain why he refused to lift the shroud of secrecy that has surrounded the establishment of Irish Water. In particular, the fact that people are going to have to pay, for what is currently a free public utility, requires that the massive sums going to consultants be explained."

(CD/MH)