Sinn Féin will oppose any attempt to reintroduce water charges through the back door.

Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD made the statement after he revealed the party has not yet seen the new water legislation.

He said: "Sinn Féin will judge the legislation when we see it; however we will oppose any attempt to introduce water charges by the back door.

"We do cautiously welcome the promise of a referendum to maintain water services in public ownership. However the government wording of the referendum is important and they must get in right.

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"I welcome the fact that the government has recognised that there exists an inequality for those on group water schemes and we would like to see this remedied as soon as possible.

"Despite acknowledging some of the potentially positive aspects of the as of yet to be published legislation Sinn Féin is firmly opposed to any charge for so called excessive use.

"We will be working with our colleagues in the Right to Water movement to ensure that the public is fully aware of the consequences of what Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael signed up to in their dodgy back room deal."

(CD)