Tánaiste dismisses claims of 15-year replacement for water meters

Concern that water meters will have to be replaced within 15 years have been dismissed as a "ball of smoke" by Tánaiste Joan Burton.

The Labour leader insisted that many of the devices would last “long beyond” that timeframe and when they did need to be upgraded it would cost €50 each and take “five minutes”.

Meanwhile, Cork North Central TD Jonathan O’Brien said rent caps imposed by the Government meant his recovering addict brother could not afford private accommodation and had to live in hostels where people took drugs.