"A vote for Sinn Féin is a vote for scrapping domestic water charges," according to party leader Gerry Adams.

Mr Adams made the statement during a Right2Water march and rally in Dundalk.

Mr Adams said: "Sinn Féin stopped the imposition of Water Charges in the North and in government in this state we will scrap them here also. Sinn Féin will dismantle Irish Water and replace it with a new model of governance, funding and delivery that is accountable to the Oireachtas.

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"We will end the metering project and redirect the remaining monies to direct investment in water infrastructure.

"We will establish an independent Commission on Water Services to examine the most appropriate public ownership model to report back to Government within nine months.

"Sinn Féin will also oppose any attempt to privatise water services. In Government, we will hold a referendum to enshrine public ownership of Ireland's water services in the Constitution."

(CD/MH)