Sinn Féin is calling on the Taoiseach to admit defeat over the ongoing Irish Water saga.

The party's leader Gerry Adams said while it is a welcome boost for households to receive the Water Conservation Grant it is an "accountancy trick" to keep Irish Water off the balance sheet.

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Mr Adams said: "It has failed on both counts and is now being used simply as cynical attempt to buy votes with the people's own money.

"It should also be remembered that the conservation grant has no link to water conservation or payment of water charges.

"Enda Kenny and his government should accept that the game is up for Irish Water and domestic water charges. The Eurostat ruling in July made that clear."

(CD/LM)