It is 'critically important' that Ireland's water services remain in public ownership, according to Sinn Féin.

Spokesperson for Social Protection, John Brady TD, also urged the Minister be reimburse customers who have paid water charges with "immediate effect".

Speaking about the Water Services Bill, Deputy Brady said: "The terms of reference for the Expert Commission need to be expanded to include issues such as how best to avoid water poverty. It has been proven that where water charges have been introduced, water poverty levels have escalated.

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"Almost a quarter of households in England and Wales suffer from water poverty due to water charges imposed on people. Water is a basic human right and not a commodity.

"It is critically important that our water services remain in public ownership to stop water becoming a commodity for the capitalist profiteers.

"The Minister has said that the government want to keep our water services in public ownership. Frankly, I have no faith in this government in keeping their word on this.

"The only way to ensure that our water services remain in public ownership is to set a date for a referendum and enshrine it in our Constitution. There is no reason why a date cannot be set for that now; we don't need a commission to report back, if we believe what the government have said on this."

(CD/JP)