A draft report circulated to the committee looking at the funding of water recommends that existing legislation be changed so that those who wilfully waste water or permit wastage can be prosecuted.

The report, circulated by Chairman Pádraig Ó Céidigh, recommends that the Water Services Act 2007 be amended to also allow for sanctions to be imposed.

"The Committee recommends that the Water Services Act 2007 be amended so as to ensure that those who wilfully abuse water or permit wastage can be prosecuted and that sanctions can be imposed, which when taken with the other measures proposed in this report will address the wastage of water thereby demonstrating that Ireland is meeting its obligations under WFD (Water Framework Directive)."

It believes it is up to the regulator to determine what constitutes extensive water usage.

Separately, legal advice from senior counsel to the committee is of the view that the existing legislation can be amended to meet EU Obligations and to comply with the polluter pays principle.

Some of the legal advice given to the #water committee to amend existing legislation @rtenews pic.twitter.com/7Q4071Zqgj — Martina Fitzgerald (@MartinaFitzg) March 28, 2017

Earlier this month, the Joint Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services agreed to extend its work for a month to allow it to get legal advice.