Fine Gael TDs set to discuss outcome of talks with Fianna Fáil

Fine Gael TDs could be asked to consider compromise proposals for the future of Irish Water today .

The party is due to meet this lunchtime, with the status of Government talks the main item on the agenda.

The Irish Examiner has reported Government sources saying that plans to reduce and abandon the USC would have to be forgone to fund any changes to water charges.

Anti Austerity Alliance TD and anti water charge campaigner Paul Murphy said that Fine Gael lost seats in the last election because the public does not want to pay for water.

He also believes that since the election, significantly more people are not paying their water bills.

"It's a clear mandate from the election to abolish water charges," he said.

"A significant majority of TDs were elected at least on the basis of abolition of Irish Water and suspension of water charges, or for many people, like ourselves, abolition of Irish Water and abolition of water charges.

"And I think that anything less than that would be seen as a betrayal by Fianna Fáil, and Fianna Fáil would be definitely punished by the electorate for it."