Sinn Féin is calling on the Government to adopt a progressive water policy after thousands of households were left without water in Drogheda last week.

President Gerry Adams TD said that the situation should be a lesson for the Fine Gael led minority Government.

He said: "Irish Water has publicly stated that the repair at Staleen is temporary fix with a larger section of pipe work to replaced in two weeks time.

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"It is glaringly obvious that the government's privatisation agenda is bad for the future of water services in this state and therefore it is bad for citizens.

"Successive governments ignored the critical place of the water network as part of the state's infrastructure. The two governments led by Fine Gael since 2011 have followed a policy that has focused on commercialisation rather than on improving the network for the public good.

"The combination of these two disastrous approaches has created this situation.

"The Government must now change direction and adopt a progressive approach. It must invest significantly in the water network to ensure that it is upgraded to the required modern standard.This must be funded through general taxation."

(CD/MH)