A Labour TD says he is prepared to launch a legal challenge to ensure people who have paid their Irish Water bills are refunded.

Willie Penrose, who is also a barrister, says he is ready to mount a challenge if law-abiding customers do not get their money back.

The party has today published legislation which would refund all paid bills in the event that charges are suspended.

Deputy Penrose says refunding the previous bills is the fairest way to treat all citizens.

He said: “There’s a lot of confusion about whether those charges will be retained by Irish Water or are they going to be returned to customers.

“We want that rectified in a manner that ensures the law-abiding citizens, who are in the majority, are treated fairly and thereby refunded there hard-earned money.

“We cannot allow a situation whereby people who comply with the law of the land are left feeling they have been mugged.”