The Government has no made no decision on introducing a basic water charge for householders, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said.

Mr Kenny also said no decision had been made on the level of waters charges, or the subvention to be paid by the Government to Irish Water, and he also firmly ruled out the privatisation of the service. He repeated that householders would know the details of the charges before the local elections on May 23rd.

Speaking in the Dáil this afternoon, Mr Kenny said he had seen the media report of a standing charge for water. “My understanding is that arose from a draft memo submitted by Irish Water,’’ he added.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin said that Irish Water had confirmed that it had sought the introduction of a 100 euro standing charge for all households.

“This, indeed, has shocked many people and has caused a considerable degree of disquiet and anxiety amongst the general public,’’ he added.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said the company was seeking to impose a standing charge of one-third of the water bill, adding that it was very high when compared to other countries.