An opposition TD has compared the Environment Minister Alan Kelly to Comical Ali - a former Iraqi information minister 

Anti-Austerity Alliance TD for Dublin South-West, Paul Murphy, made the comments after Mr Kelly yesterday warned that new legislation will help the government penalise those who do not pay their water bill, but try to claim the water conservation grant.

The legislation, being brought forward by Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald, could see those who boycott the charges facing penalties that will mount up for each missed water charge payment.

Yesterday, Mr Kelly said: "The people who register, get their €100 and don't pay their water bills will end up paying more".

"They will pay penalties and penalties and penalties".

"So while they might get their €100 up front, and while they might benefit from that, they will end up ultimately less well off," he added.

But Mr Murphy says this is a lot of hot air.

Mr Murphy also says he "really wouldn't want to go to prison" over the water charges.

He was speaking almost a fortnight since controversy erupted over reports that 20 people could face charges as a result of a protest in the Jobstown area of Dublin last November.

No-one has yet been charged as a result of the incident.

Deputy Murphy says defending himself against possible charges is not how he wants to spend his time.