Irish Water's legal opinion 'contrary to advice given to FF'

A former Fianna Fáil Minister has said that he wants to see legal advice about water charges.

Irish Water is being asked to publish the legal opinion which states that scrapping the charges is not an option.

Fianna Fáil says it is adamant that it wants to see the charges suspended if it is to support Fine Gael in a minority government.

Former Defence Minister and Limerick City TD Willie O'Dea said that Fianna Fáil's legal advice is at odds with that given to Irish Water.

"I wish I could see a copy of that legal opinion, because our legal advice is exactly to the contrary," he said.

"I mean, there is absolutely nothing in law, in my opinion, this is what we've been advised, to prevent Fianna Fáil from implementing its policy of suspending water charges, pending bringing the water infrastructure up to scratch."