The Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has once again pledged his support for keeping the much hated household water charges.
Mr Kenny who is preparing for next month’s Budget also launched a scathing attack on rival part Fianna Fáil, accusing Mr Martin’s of “populism” in their attempts to abolish the charges.
The Taoiseach slammed the party by saying that if it came about “everybody could leave their taps on” and the taxpayer would have to foot the bill.
Mr Kenny’s public outburst comes after Fianna Fáil’s environment spokesman Barry Cowen recently revealed that Fianna Fail’s proposal to refund those who had paid their water bills through a tax credit would cost in the region of €50m.
However Mr Kenny claimed that such scenario is not feasible as water would then have to be funded by the central exchequer.
Mr Kenny said although he hasn’t spoken to opposition leader Micheál Martin about the charges, he claimed that Mr Martin “knows very well what our position is”.