Following reports of a €100 standing charge set to be imposed once water metering is complete, Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has called on the Energy Regulator to reject an unreasonable request from Irish Water for permission to impose the standing charge on households.

Speaking on RTÉ Six One, Deputy Crowe said:

“There needs to be clarity coming from Government. To date, they have been very silent in relation to the water charge. There are varying messages all of the time, leaving households clueless as to what the actual charges are going to be.

“This is an additional levy on top of the water charge set to be introduced when the metering process is complete.

“If Irish Water are allowed to impose a standing charge then domestic users will be charged four times for the same service. The proposed standing charge, a water charge, exchequer taxation and the property tax are all contributing to the escalating costs being mounted by Irish Water.

“This the same body which speculated savings of an estimated two billion euros.

“Sinn Féin are calling on the regulator to reject this unreasonable request, and for Minister Rabbitte to make a statement to the Dáil backing up his contention this morning that there would be no standing charge imposed.

“Hard pressed taxpayers need to be given up to date information regarding what new tax is proposed and how much they are being asked to pay.”

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