Fine Gael has claimed Sinn Féin is set for a major U-turn on its opposition to water charges.

MEPs are due to vote on Lynn Boylan's report including paragraph 92 which calls on Member States to ensure they are "providing for the application of a progressive charge that is proportional to the amount of water used" on Tuesday.

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"This text clearly suggests Sinn Féin support for progressive water charges, and having been written by a member of the Sinn Fein party, it indicates a U-turn by the party on water charges or a break with national policy at European level," Mairead McGuinness MEP and Vice-President of the European Parliament, said.

McGuinness, a member of the responsible Parliament's Environment, Public Health and Food Safety committee, said the move qualifies as a Sinn Féin admission that water charges are necessary to secure a sustainable, quality water supply for citizens in Ireland, and across the EU.

(CD/JP)