Sinn Fein accuses Coalition of sitting on Eurostat ruling

Gerry Adams said that his party had considered calling for Environment Minister Alan Kelly to resign

Philip Ryan

Sinn Féin has accused the Coalition of sitting on the damaging Eurostat ruling that forces the Government to include the cost of Irish Water on the State’s balance sheet.

Seizing on the political fallout from the European Union statistic agency’s condemnation of the Government’s handling of Irish Water, Sinn Féin held a second press conference in as many days to attack the Coalition.

Speaking at the event, party leader Gerry Adams insisted the Government knew about the Eurostat ruling for “some time” and called on Taoiseach Enda Kenny to make a statement on the issue.

Mr Adams said the Taoiseach “apes the antics of Bertie Ahern back in the day” by opening bottle banks in his constituency but refuses to speak publicly about Irish Water.

Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald echoed Mr Adams comments by saying it was “notable” that the Eurostat results were published when the Dáil was in recess.

Ms McDonald also said the Public Accounts Committee may need to investigate the latest Irish Water controversy.

“There are serious questions to be asked in respect of the spending of public money,” she said.

She added: “The longer the Government is seized in a state of denial the more likely the need for a Public Accounts Committee involvement.”

Mr Adams said Sinn Féin is committed to “scraping” Irish Water if the electorate gives them a mandate to do so after the next general election.