Fianna Fáil is calling for households with contaminated water supplies to be exempt from water charges.

The Water Service Amendment Bill 2014 is due to be debated during Private Members Business in the Dáil today.

Spokesperson on Environment Barry Cowen said: "There are thousands of families and businesses across the country that are unable to drink their tap water and are facing water bills in a matter of months. It is a ludicrous situation for the Government to sit back and allow these people to be charged for a contaminated supply. Some homes have been subject to boil water notices for over a year, with cases of e-coli and lead pollution prevalent in certain parts of the country, yet under the current legislation these people are still expected to fork out hundreds of euro for a sub-standard and unsafe service. There is an onus on the Government to protect our water supply, not force households into paying for a dysfunctional service.

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"This Bill provides the Government with an option to exclude these families from the impending water bills, which are due to kick in in January. Ministers and Government TDs who regularly speak of their concern for households facing boil notices and contaminated supplies, now have chance to do something about it. I'm urging the Government to support this Bill and waive water charges for all affected households. Now is the time for action rather than rhetoric."

(CD/MH)