Sinn Féin is to table a motion to abolish Irish Water and end the water charges at its Private Members time next week.

The party made the announcement after figures revealed a dramatic drop in the number of people paying the charges.

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Water, Eoin Ó Broin, secured figures from Irish Water via Freedom of Information.

The figures also showed 36% of people haven't paid any of their water charges over the last 12 months.

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Deputy Ó Broin said: "According to the information received via FOI domestic revenue due for 2015 was €271m. However actual revenue received was only €144.2m, just over half.

"This tallies with the fact that out the 1.522m people that were deemed to be liable for water charges, by bill cycle four, 975,000 had paid some portion of their bill, which is just over half.

"In the election last February, the majority of people votes to scrap water charges and abolish Irish Water. Over 90 TDs were elected on a mandate to scrap water charges.

"The figures released today once again highlight popular opposition to this unfair and unjust tax."

(CD/MH)