Irish Water will be forced to reduce the exorbitant call-out fees it wants to charge householders with service and supply problems after the energy regulator expressed concern about how high they had been set.

The Commission for Energy Regulation has just published the cost of water, with charging to begin tomorrow.

With uncertainty over children’s free water quotas, parents of over 18s living at home face a bigger shock, writes Political Editor Mary Regan

The Dáil’s environment committee must hold an emergency meeting so the regulator responsible for setting water charges can explain his actions, TDs have urged.

The energy regulator is under pressure to explain what evidence it used to justify a reduction in the free water allowance for children when charges come in next year, after claims the decision was based on "biased" or "flawed" research.

The free water allowance initially set for children is being cut by 17,000 litres.

A range of domestic water charges for homeowners coming into effect in a little over eight weeks’ time will be announced tomorrow by the energy regulator.

Irish Water wants to reduce the amount of free water children will get in homes in a move which would land families with higher bills once charges begin.

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Home-owners will not know how much they will be charged for water until August, according to the body which will set the fees, despite reassurances from the Taoiseach that the rates would be revealed before the May elections.

Environment Minister Phil Hogan was never told by the department of the €50m set to be paid in consultants fees by Irish Water — despite the fact it was informed of the sum in March last year.

Twenty-six new HMV stores are to open around the country as specialist ‘shop-in-shop’ projects within Xtra-vision outlets in the coming months.

Unqualified contractors carrying out major electrical work in homes will soon face criminal prosecution as a result of new consumer protection legislation which will come into effect later this year.

The future of film rental company Xtra-vision has been secured with British commercial restructuring firm Hilco Capital buying it from receivership for an undisclosed sum.

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Hibernian boss Pat Fenlon was delighted with his men as they learned their lessons and notched up just their third win in 12 games.

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Celtic’s 1-0 victory over Motherwell saw them go nine points clear in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title race after second-placed Inverness’s match at Ross County fell victim to a waterlogged pitch.

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The US brokerage firm Cantor Fitzgerald has taken over the Dublin-based stockbroking firm Dolmen for an undisclosed fee.

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FT: St Mirren 0 Celtic 2

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FASHION retailer, A-wear has been sold to retail restructuring experts Hilco for an undisclosed fee.

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Inverness 1 St Mirren 0

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FT: St Mirren 0 Rangers 1

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Celtic v St Mirren

Celtic wrapped up their North American tour on a winning note as they defeated Sporting Lisbon on penalties at Fenway Park.

Paul McGowan insists he has no intention of simply making up the numbers at Celtic next season.

Celtic defender Glenn Loovens will be given every chance to prove his fitness ahead of the Old Firm clash at Parkhead tomorrow night.

Glenn Loovens and Thomas Rogne are out of Celtic‘s Scottish Premier League clash with Motherwell at Parkhead.

Celtic forward Paul McGowan has revealed he has signed a new two-year contract.

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TONY MOWBRAY has backed Robbie Keane to double his goal tally before the end of the season.

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