New powers to deduct water charges from people's salaries, pensions and social welfare payments have been slammed by Sinn Féin.

The party's leader, Gerry Adams TD, raised the issue directly with Taoiseach Enda Kenny in the Dáil.

Mr Adams said: "The sorry saga of your efforts to impose an additional Water Tax on households and your establishment of the totally discredited Irish Water is a metaphor for how this Government functions.

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"There was no need to impose an additional Water Charge in the first instance but you did so. There was no need to pay €85 million euro of taxpayers' money to consultants, but you did that as well.

"You could have listened to the suggestions from Opposition parties here but you didn't. Instead, you forced through the Water Services Bill. Back then, you threatened to cut off water or to reduce household supplies to a trickle. Popular anger grew and the protests got bigger; then you did a partial U-turn. You failed in that also.

"And now we learn from the media that the Government is discussing draconian new powers to deduct Water Charges from citizens' wages, pensions and social welfare payments. It is time to go back to the drawing board."

(CD/JP)