Sinn Féin: ‘No refunds if we axe Irish Water’

Sinn Féin has insisted it will not refund those who have paid their water charges despite the party’s pledge to scrap the controversial utility if elected — telling bill payers “there is nothing we would be doing in government” to ensure they do not lose out.

The party’s finance spokesman Pearse Doherty also said it is not “hypocritical” for people opposed to the water charges taking the €100 conservation charge, despite criticising Irish Water for wasting taxpayers’ money and saying his party has no plans to recoup the fund if it abolishes charges.

The Donegal South West TD made the comments at an event to promote tomorrow’s Right2Water protest in Dublin and after a questionnaire of all parties published in Monday’s Irish Examiner found Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil will not refund payers if elected.