The Water Services Bill - which aims to give effect to the lower charges from next year will go before the Seanad today.

It passed all stages in the Dáil last night with the Environment Minister making a gesture on the issue of a plebiscite to protect against privatisation in the future.

After 40 hours on the floor of the Dáil, last night the Government used what's called the guillotine to end the debate and the water services bill passed all stages.

In an attempt to appease the issue of privatisation the Environment Minister put down an amendment to say a future Government shall rather than may hold a plebiscite.

Today the Bill begins three days of discussions in the Seanad where the coalition has lost its majority and independents will decide if the legislation passes or is delayed for up to 90 days.

There's increasing speculation that the coalition may accept a small number of amendments from the Independents in the block of Taoiseach's nominees to secure their support for the bill.

That does however create one final problem for the Government - any changes made in the Seanad means the Dáil will have to return to rubber stamp the legislation next Tuesday - when they are meant to begin their Christmas holidays today.