Latest: An Independent TD has labelled the water charge refunds as "farcical in the extreme".

Refunding water charges was the only choice the Government had in order to avoid a general election, Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy has said.

Water charges are going to be reintroduced by the “back door” along with mandatory metering, according to Right2Water TDs who oppose recommendations on the future funding of services.

Fianna Fáil TDs have said they received a “backlash” over their initial position on water charges as the party yesterday did another U-turn and backed government plans to levy homes and continue metering.