Minister for Education Jan O'Sullivan has today played down the anti-water-charges campaign.
Minister O'Sullivan was speaking ahead of today's announcement of Labour's tax policies for the next General Election.
It is expected the party will propose to abolish the Universal Social Charge for those earning under €80,000.
"I think people recognise that we did address...people's fear of the high cost," she said.
"There were only about 300 people at the water protest in Limerick last weekend - there were much bigger numbers at earlier stages.
"So I think people are more concerned now about other issues: like being able to get a job and also (to) have decent services."