Video – Sinn Féin publishes Bill to scrap water charges

PEARSE DOHERTY TD says scrapping water charges will be one of the first moves by a Sinn Féin government.

Publishing a bill on Wednesday which would scrap water charges, Pearse Doherty told An Phoblacht at Leinster House:

"We have committed to scrapping the charges if in a position to do so after the next election. This is the bill which we will enact in order to do that. 

"We are now seeking a mandate from the people to enact this bill and scrap water charges once and for all."

The Donegal TD said the Government has lost its mandate to implement water charges.

Also speaking to An Phoblacht at the launch, Sinn Féin Environment and Local Government Spokesperson Brian Stanley TD said the only way to end the "farce" of Irish Water is to "scrap the whole project":

"Instead of wasting further millions on water meters and the running of Irish water, we should be investing in repairing the leaks which are responsible for almost half of the supply being wasted.

"Sinn Féin will ensure that the water services are retained in public ownership, and are funded from progressive general taxation," he said.