Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore today did not rule out forcing householders having to pay for the installation of water meters in their homes, but said that no decision on it has been made yet.
It was reported today the Department of the Environment intends to charge householders around €300 for the meters when water charges are introduced in 2014.
Speaking at the end of the Labour Party conference in Galway today, Minister Gilmore was adamant the proposal still has to come before Ministers.
"It's the Government that makes the decision on it and it's a matter for the Department to bring its proposals before the Government and then the Government will decide on it," he said.
"To date, no proposals have been brought in respect of that matter before the Government."