Deal to signal end of water charges

Water charges look likely to be permanently axed as a Dáil vote will now be required for their reintroduction.

It comes as householders could be set to receive more than €130m in refunds or credits amid talks of scrapping Irish Water. The charges are due to be suspended from July.

Under a Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael deal due to be finalised today, the reintroduction of the controversial charges would have to be passed by the Dáil which is highly unlikely given its current makeup.