Bills from Irish Water are "about as popular as an oil spill along the Atlantic coast".
That is according to Mary Lou McDonald of Sinn Féin, as the Dáil debates plans to have unpaid water bills taken from wages.
The Civil Debt Bill will also allow other utility bills to be taken from wages, though some welfare payments will be exempted.
The opposition has lashed out at the plans - but insists they will not be enough to force people to pay their water bills.
The changes to ensure householders pay their water charges passed by 63 votes to 35.
Deputy McDonald says the moves are a slap in the face for opponents of Irish Water.
Under the bill, tenants are obliged to pay their water bills - while landlords must inform Irish Water of the identity of their tenants.
However Irish Socialist Party TD Ruth Coppinger says people in rented accommodation can still avoid paying.
"What tenants should do is say to their landlords 'This is between me and Irish Water, there's no need for you to get involved'" she said.
"The debt does not follow the landlord, because a person can argue - and all they have to do is prove - that they're not the occupier of the premises, which they've done by giving the information to Irish Water in the first place" she added.
She spoke earlier to Newstalk Breakfast.
