Sinn Féin is calling for the Environment Minister to resign after refusing to answer questions of the full costs of establishing Irish Water.

The leader of the party Gerry Adams is accusing Phil Hogan of previously denying knowledge of the full details.

Mr Adams said: "Minister Hogan and his Department showed utter contempt for the Dáil and citizens by not outlining details of this expenditure, including the vast sums spent on consultants. I also said at the time that the Taoiseach's own responses to questions on this scandal were a joke.

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"It has now emerged, following an investigation by RTÉ's This Week programme, that Phil Hogan signed off on the full costs of Irish Water three months before the controversy about the cost of consultants emerged in the public domain.

"Phil Hogan has been caught out. Now we know why the Taoiseach would not answer my questions about Minister Hogan. Given the Taoiseach's stubborn refusal to answer legitimate questions in the Dáil, today's revelations also raise huge concerns about what the Taoiseach knew of these matters.

"Sinn Féin protested strongly at the way the Water Services Bill was being rushed through the Dáil and on the last sitting day of 2013, over 30 TDs left the Dáil chamber in protest at this.

"An important point to remember is that the vast sums of money handed to consultants was taken from vulnerable citizens through cuts to vital services."

(CD/JP)