Speaking to the ‘Journal’ earlier this week, Sinn Fein Councillor Jarlath McNulty said that he would not “accept” that Strabane ratepayers would meet the costs of water charges until negotiations, which are expected to continue until the autumn, announced a final decision about who would incur the cost of water bills.

Conceding that Sinn Fein had campaigned in the last local elections for “say no to water charges” Mr. McNulty said that he could not understand why the party was being “singled out” in the media as most parties at that time campaigned against the introduction of the water charges.

In an attempt to clarify Sinn Fein’s position, the party’s eight Strabane councillors reaffirmed their commitment to ‘one bill’ for rates and water, which they have included in the a public consultation on the Independent review of water charges.

A spokesperson said: “No one will have to pay twice for water and sewerage services.

“Sinn Féin believes that public trust and confidence was eroded in the entire direct rule water reform process. Our party set out very clear terms for the review of the situation appointing water poverty expert, Prof. Paddy Hillyard to lead an independent panel to examine all options in two reports: funding water and sewerage services and management, governance and delivery of these services,” he said.

He added: “Sinn Féin's Minister for Regional Development Conor Murphy ruled out privatisation within the terms of reference for the panel's review and made it clear that these public services will operate within full public ownership now and in the future.”

Meanwhile, a Strabane community lobbying group last week vowed to do all within their power to cancel out government plans to introduce water charges to homes in the area.

Communities Against Water Tax (CAWT) launched a bill board campaign last week urging people to say no to water charges. The group say that their campaign comes following the revelation by Sinn Fein that charges will be "phased in over the next three years and collected on the same basis as the current rates system, meaning it will be based on the value of your house".