A law expert claimed Ireland could be hit with “daily” EU penalty fines of at least €5,000 if it chooses to scrap water charges, despite EU sources suggesting deferring the fee system could be allowed and Fianna Fáil insisting there is nothing illegal about cancelling the payments.

The latest legal row over whether Irish Water charges can be scrapped has not, despite claims to the contrary, sunk any chance of resolving the issue.

Opposition parties have rejected legal advice which suggests water charges in Ireland cannot be suspended or scrapped.