The Environment Minister is being urged to explain if members of the Group Water Schemes have to pay water charges.

The call follows the announcement of the new charging regime by the Government.

TD for Galway East Michael P. Kitt said there is still a degree of "uncertainty" surrounding the issue.

He said: "In reply to a Parliamentary Question I put to Minister Kelly, he stated that 'there may be some Group Schemes where local arrangements may have applied: the future arrangements in relation to these schemes will be resolved as soon as possible'.

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"Hundreds of people across east Galway are members of a Group Water Schemes and unsure if they are liable for charges, or are due money back as a result of the new charging structure. The Minister's answer is ambiguous at best and only serves to push out the date for fixed arrangements to be put in place.

"Minister Kelly has put no deadline in place to have these arrangements implemented, causing further uncertainty for Group Water Scheme members. He needs to clarify the situation regarding standing charges, existing charges and future arrangements for Group Water Schemes."

(CD/MH)