Gormley defends Govt handling of water crisis

The Minister for the Environment has moved to assure householders that water services should be back to normal across the country within two days.

John Gormley has warned however that restrictions may have to remain in place in Dublin for around 12 days to replenish reservoir levels there.

A number of local authorities say they will struggle to restore normal supplies in the next two days, but work is ongoing to fix burst mains and leaking pipes.

Dublin City Council is to ease restrictions from 2pm today and will not impose further shutdowns until 4pm tomorrow in an effort to facilitate New Year's festivities.

Minister Gormley also defended the Government's handling and funding of the water crisis: "No matter how much you invest, when you're dealing with this sort on unprecedented weather, it's extremely difficult," he said.