The Environment Minister Phil Hogan says water charges will be introduced next year as planned.

There had been speculation that the tax would be deferred until 2015 instead because of the introduction of the property tax and the local and European elections taking place next year.

But the Minister says his department is working on the basis that the tax will be introduced next year.

Speaking in defence of the charge, he says the money is needed in order to continue supplying good quality water: