A decision by the Infrastructure Minister to stop the installation of water meters in domestic properties has been welcomed by Sinn Féin.

Minister Chris Hazzard brought forward regulations which have been approved by the NI Assembly.

Minister Hazzard said:"Installing meters currently costs the public purse around £200,000 per year. This is a waste of money given these will not be used. The legislation today will end this waste of valuable resources.

"These Regulations also reinforce the Executive's commitment not to bring in water charging for households and demonstrates the Executive's commitment to protecting people's personal finances in a tough economic climate."

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Mr McCann said: "I welcome the minister's announcement to the Assembly today that the installation of water meters has now ended.

"Sinn Féin is opposed to the introduction of water charges north and south.

"This move reinforces Sinn Féin and the Executive's commitment not to bring in water charges for households."

SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan said: "We are pleased that the Minister has at last moved to clean up Sinn Féin's mess which saw the installation of over 32,000 water meters in homes across Northern Ireland under the watch of Conor Murphy. Undoubtedly this was causing some embarrassment to Sinn Féin members in the South who have been so vocal on the issue.

"The cost of these water meters went beyond the millions of pounds wasted on installing them. The move caused great anxiety to those residents who found that these meters had been quietly installed on their homes, and to the wider public who saw this as a clear signal that water charges were coming down the tracks."

(CD/LM)