Sinn Féin is calling on the Government to answer serious questions regarding the way Phil Hogan handled the situation about his knowledge of the €50m spent on consultancy services attached to the establishment of Irish Water.

Deputy Gerry Adams made the comments following fresh revelations on RTÉ Radio One's 'This Week Programme' that the former Minister not only had knowledge of the consultancy contracts but also signed off on documentation relating to the contracts as far back as December 2012.

-- Advertisement --

He said: "Sinn Féin has consistently opposed an introduction of water charges. We blocked their introduction in the north and we will seek to reverse them in government in the south.

"Sinn Féin repeatedly questioned the setup cost of Uisce Éireann – Irish Water and the issue of consultants benefiting from the public purse.

"These are huge sums of the people's money to establish a body that was neither wanted nor needed. A body that will shortly send out water charge bills on the direction of this government.

"Over €50million was paid to private sector consultants. When this was put to the Minister he claimed that he was unaware of the value of these contracts; however it now appears he was not only aware of this but also approved the amount to be set aside of which consultants would benefit."

(CD/JP)