A water charging scheme for excessive water use is to be introduced in 2020.

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Water Eoin Ó Broin TD hit out at the scheme, calling it "expensive and unnecessary".

"The government hopes to raise €39m over five years via this charge. It will cost Irish Water more to collect this charge than the charge will raise, which makes no sense," Deputy Ó Broin said.

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He also continued to criticise the government decision, comparing Ireland's water usage to other European countries.

"The introduction of such a charge also gives the impression that Irish people are wilfully wasting water when the truth is that, according to Irish Water's own figures, household water consumption in this state is one of the lowest in the OECD," he said.

"For example, in this State, we use an average of 123 litres per person per day, compared to England where people use on average 140 litres, in Sweden it is 200 litres, and in Italy it is 250 litres."

Plans for the charging scheme will be approved by the Cabinet tomorrow, 22 January.

(CM)