A Fine Gael TD has today criticised people who spend their money on cigarettes and alcohol, but then refuse to pay their water bills.

Catherine Byrne said that people cannot get out of an obligation to pay a bill for a service they need.

She was speaking in a Dáil debate on the Civil Debt (Procedures) Bill 2015 which, if passed, would allow for unpaid water bills to be taken from wages and welfare payments.

Deputy Byrne said that people who spend money on luxuries, but refuse to pay their bills, need to think again.

"I go to the shopping centre on the weekend, like most normal people, I try my best with my budget, to fill it out and get what I need," she said.

"And I put extra things in my trolley for my children who are all in negative equity, like many other parents out there.

"And I see people stacking up their trolleys with drink and wine, and I can guarantee you, some of them shouldn't be stacking up their trolleys with drink and wine."

According to the Houses of the Oireachtas website, TDs are paid a basic annual salary of €87,258.

She says it is not fair for people to avoid bills, when people like her pensioner sister are prepared to pay.

"At the end of the day, she said to me: 'Well, if all it's going to cost me is €60 for the year, that is €1.50 in the week…'

"And I see people queuing up in shops and buying 60 to 80 smokes at €10-something a package, so let's talk about fairness and balance."