The Environment Minister says the government has made no decision yet on a pricing structure for water charges.

It follows reports in the Irish Independent that the agency has submitted plans for a 33% charge on the average bill to the energy regulator.

That could cost householders up to €100 before they have even used any water.

Irish Water says it will not comment on the reports. The company has issued a statement confirming they have made a submission to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) on 'tariff structures', and that will be part of the public consultation process that is due to get underway shortly.

"Irish Water have made a submission to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) regarding the tariff structures – this submission will form part of the public consultation process which the CER will shortly engage in. It would be inappropriate for Irish Water to comment in advance of the CER process" it said.

But Minister Phil Hogan has told Midwest Radio that people will just have to have patience and wait for the government to make an announcement.

Group Political Editor with the Irish Independent Fionnan Sheahan told The Pat Kenny Show here on Newstalk that the standing charge could be very useful to the company when it is up and running.