DUP to issue conditions on water rates
(02 March 2007)

As the Northern Ireland Assembly election enters its final stage the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is to issue conditions to the British government on water charges.

Leader Ian Paisley is expected to say that unless the British government scraps its plans to make consumers in Northern Ireland pay water rates from April onwards then his party will not participate in a devolved administration at Stormont.

"The DUP has already put the government on notice that resolving the issue of water charges is an essential component of the financial package," he told the Irish Times.

Critics of the plans argue that since householders in Northern Ireland are already paying for water and sewage services in their domestic rates bills they should not be forced to pay water rates as well.

The issue has been high on the agenda during canvassing for the elections next week, with householders angry at what they see as unfair fees, especially as they will be charged according to the value of their homes and not by how much water they use.

The DUP is expected to release documents outlining the party's policy on the water rates and telling voters how it plans to deal with them.