“Having previously ensured that domestic water charges were not introduced in Northern Ireland, the DUP will continue to stand up for households across Northern Ireland in vehement opposition to any such proposal.
The people of Northern Ireland already pay for their water through their Rates Bill and any further attempt to introduce another tax by stealth, will simply not fly.
The current underfunding of Northern Ireland Water is yet another symptom of the failure by HM Government to fund public services here based upon objective need.
It is neither fair nor sustainable for Northern Ireland to be funded below need, the solution to this problem requires the underfunding of public services here to be addressed by the Treasury.
The DUP has been highlighting this problem consistently and we will continue to press this matter in our ongoing discussions with the Government, to ensure key public services are properly funded both now and in the future.”