A clear majority of people want water charges to be abolished, according to Sinn Féin.

Spokesperson on Water Eoin Ó Broin TD made the statement following the successful turnout at the Right2Water rally over the weekend.

He also said the voters will "punish Fianna Fáil for any back door agreement with Fine Gael on water charges".

His comments come after speculation that Housing Minister Simon Coveney and Deputy Barry Cowen are reported to be seeking a 'deal' on the content of the legislation stemming from the Water Committee's report.

-- Advertisement --

He said: "The Water Committee has concluded its report and, despite the delaying tactics by Fine Gael, we should be in a position to pass the report tomorrow and move to a Dáil debate on Wednesday and Thursday.

"All eyes will then be on the Government to see what kind of legislation it will bring forward.

"Media speculation suggests that some accommodation between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil may be reached during the passage of the legislation that would allow for water charges to be introduced by the back door.

"Voters will punish Fianna Fáil for any back door agreement with Fine Gael on water charges. The charge must be scrapped, mandatory metering must end, refunds must be paid, parity for group water schemes must be introduced, the funding regime as recommended by the Water Committee must be put in place, and a referendum enshrining public ownership of water and water services in the Constitution must be held."

(CD/LM)