Fianna Fáil's Environment Spokesperson has been slammed over his refusal to confirm or deny his position on water charges.

Sinn Féin TD for Offaly, Carol Nolan, accused Barry Cowen of "flip-flopping" over the issue.

Deputy Nolan said: "Up until this week, Barry Cowen had been insisting that water charges were a red line issue for Fianna Fáil. However we are now seeing a complete reversal of that position.

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"It seems that Fianna Fáil are about to perform their first U-turn since the election campaign and will scrap their commitment to halt the water charges if they go to bed with Fine Gael.

"This is yet another broken promise from a party, who were categorically and vehemently opposed to entertaining a coalition with Fine Gael."

However, Mr Cowen has confirmed he will end the water charges.

He said:"Fianna Fáil is committed to ending water charges and saving ordinary families €800 over the next five years. Its time Sinn Fein gets their numbers right and comes clean with people on its position.

"Fianna Fáil did not make its policy on Irish Water lightly and it is not subject to change due to lobbying."

(CD)