Dáil to debate Sinn Féin motion to scrap water charges, but Fianna Fáil unlikely to back it

The Sinn Féin motion says that water charges should be abolished and that funding should be through "progressive taxation".

But Fianna Fáil is refusing to back it, despite it now being party policy to get rid of water charges.

The party says the Sinn Féin motion is playacting as only legislation from Government and not such a motion can scrap the charges.

Fianna Fáil also says the charges are suspended and can only return with a Dáil vote which they cannot see getting supported.

The Government will put forward a counter motion this afternoon and there has been background contact with Fianna Fáil on this.

This will ensure that the Sinn Féin motion is defeated when the Dáil votes tomorrow afternoon.