Ervia CEO: Irish Water ’came up short’ on explaining charges; President Michael D Higgins makes an official visit to Britain today;Christian Benteke’s move to Liverpool could go through today, and Sinead O’Connor has cancelled her summer tour due to illness. Here’s this morning’s irishexaminer.com round-up.

Irish Water has admitted its bosses can earn bonuses on top of bonuses, on the same day as a new opinion poll found one in three people are still refusing to pay the firm’s reduced charges.

Irish Water has secured a €100m loan facility from Ulster Bank in what is expected to be the first of a series of similar deals.

Environment Minister Alan Kelly has said he wants the bonus culture addressed at Irish Water and that he has spoken to unions representing company workers on the issue.

Ervia has launched an investigation into allegations of financial misappropriation, made by a former employee. The allegation concerns a senior figure in the state gas company.

Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett faces the prospect of a motion of no confidence in the Dáil after he was accused of stymieing efforts by TDs to scrutinise Irish Water legislation.

The head of Irish Water’s parent company, Ervia (formerly Bord Gáis), has confirmed he is to "divest" himself of more than 400,000 shares in a company which makes money from installing water meters — but insisted everything he had done is "above board".

Bonuses for Irish Water staff will be linked to the amount of money collected from households, the utility conceded.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said Irish Water staff should not get bonuses for under-performing but has absolved the company’s boss from any responsibility for the pay awards.

Irish Water workers who underperform will be rewarded with bonuses, it has emerged.

Local authority tenants face the threat of eviction for failing to pay water charges.