Sinn Fein is calling for €148 million allocated for the water metering programme to be used to mend the water infrastructure throughout Ireland.

The party made the call after it was revealed the money accrued from the capital metering programme remains unspent.

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Water Eoin Ó Broin TD said it should be re-allocated for other projects.

Deputy Ó Broin said: "There is a sense of urgency in re-allocating these monies. We have heard off the record that Irish Water's parent company Ervia is currently negotiating a six month extension to the original water metering contract. It is alleged that the Board of Ervia is soon to ratify this extension.

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"I will be writing to both Minister Coveney and Ervia in an attempt to clarify this claim. It is outrageous that money is continuing to be spent on domestic water metering.

"Given that Ireland is currently undergoing infringement proceedings for a failure to implement the Urban Waste Water Treatment directive and that water infrastructure is crumbling, this funding would be better spent in addressing these issues as opposed to continuing with this controversial programme.

"The Minister must direct Irish Water and Ervia to halt this wasteful spend of taxpayer's money at least until the future of water and sanitation service delivery is clear."

(CD/MH)