TÁNAISTE EAMON Gilmorerefused to say if the Government was planning to introduce a flat rate water charge.

He said the programme for government made it clear metering for water would be introduced and that there would be a free household allowance.

“The Minister for the Environment is progressing those proposals and when they are completed, they will be brought before the House,” he added.

The Tánaiste was replying to questions by Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins, who said Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan had said on Wednesday that there would be a utility charge to pay for the installation of water meters in each home.

“The Labour Party said it was opposed to it, that meters would be a waste of investment. Are you now going to renege on that and have a utility charge for people?” he asked.