Assembly debates water charges

The assembly will debate the controversial issue of water charges

The Stormont assembly has debated water charges.

Ulster Unionist member Leslie Cree who tabled the motion, called for the government to review water and sewerage facilities.

He also wants to determine a cost for improving services that is acceptable to the public.

The controversial plans to introduce water charges in Northern Ireland were approved by the House of Lords earlier this month.

During the debate in the Lords, former Ulster Unionist leader Lord Trimble asked the decision to be deferred and taken by the assembly when it is reconstituted.

However, minister Lord Rooker said the new charges were needed "to bring water and sewerage standards up to the level of the rest of the UK".

He said £629m had been spent in the past three years on improvements.

In a vote, the order was approved by 158 to 83 - a government majority of 75.