Speaking in the Dáil on the issue Stanley asked if it was the government’s intention to plough ahead with the Water Services Bill given the information that is now available in relation to cost and the length of time it will take to install meters in over 1.3 million households.
Deputy Stanley said: "The introduction of water meters comes at a massive cost. According to the Local Authorities Professional Officers this project will cost the tax payer a massive €1.2 billion.
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"Initially Minister O’Dowd informed the Dáil committee that the installation would commence in 2012; this date was put back in April when Minster Hogan claimed the installation would be done by 2014. But in September John Mullins of Bord Gais stated the installations have been put back to the end of 2015.
"Despite having commenced the installation of water meters in England 20 years ago there are thousands of homes where they have yet to be installed. This is a very complex process that the government should not underestimate. I have brought this up with Minister Hogan on numerous occasions, but he is not listening. The government plan is in tatters.
"I urge the government to abandon its plan to install domestic water meters and invest instead in upgrading our crumbling water system."
