Fianna Fáil has hit out at the Government for failing to outline the water charging system for farmers.

Councillor Eamon Scanlon said the situation is "ludicrous" and confirmed farmers are currently receiving bills from Irish Water and the county council.

He said: "I have been contacted by numerous farmers who are completely confused by this new billing system. They're receiving bills from Irish Water as well as being charged by Veolia, which has the contract from the local authority. Many are also being charged for waste water services despite having their own septic tanks.

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"Farmers are concerned that they are paying on the double for services which they may not even be getting. In a reply to a Parliamentary Question from my party colleague Barry Cowen, the Environment Minister claimed that farmers who have a domestic water supply, as well as being connected to the public water system are classified as 'mixed-use customers' and will be billed separately for their domestic and non-domestic services.

"However, I feel this message has not been effectively communicated by his department and is a major factor in the confusion which has now arisen."

(CD/JP)