Water bill deferment confirmed

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7613077.stm

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The first minister has confirmed that he wants to further delay the introduction of water charges.

They were to have been introduced next spring, but Mr Robinson said families could not afford water bills on top of soaring household costs.

However, he warned that deferment would not be sustainable in the long term.

"Water may come down from the heavens free of charge, but the cost is in all the infrastructure that is necessary and that costs money," he said.

Speaking at the opening of a new factory in Lisburn the first minister said he didn't "think it would be right to put that burden on people at this time".

Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy confirmed that he has been in discussion with the first and deputy first ministers about the matter.

"I fully appreciate the difficulties faced by households with increasing bills," he said.

"I've been in discussion with ministerial colleagues including the first minister and deputy first minister on the way forward with regard to the funding of water and sewerage services, given the current financial climate."