Sinn Féin says it wants to petition the President Michael D Higgins not to sign the water services bill into law.

Senator David Cullinane says his party will be seeking to petition President Higgins not to sign the bill - currently being debated in the Seanad - if it is passed in both Houses of the Oireachtas.

The President would be required to convene the Council of State to consider the bill under Article 27 of the Constitution if one third of the Dáil and a majority of senators sign a petition of concern after the bill has been passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas.

Sinn Féin's Senator Cullinane said: "We have been opposed to domestic water charges from day one and we are glad that the people have risen up so strongly against them."

"We have promised to do all in our power to oppose the introduction of these charges. Therefore, if both Houses of the Oireachtas pass the Water Services Bill this week we will then seek to petition the President under Article 27 of the Constitution."

"We have the petition ready to go and we will be inviting all Oireachtas members who are genuinely opposed to domestic water charges to support this action."

The bill was passed by the Dail on Thursday by 81 votes to 58. The legislation then moved to the Seanad, with the debate set to resume tomorrow.

Sinn Féin says it is dissatisfied with the Bill, and the fact that it does not include a provision to hold a constitutional referendum on the public ownership of Irish Water.

Senator Cullinane says there is still time to stop this bill from going through.

Originally posted at 13.25