The Public Expenditure Minister says the current rate of water charges will be enough to improve the supply system.
Irish Water says it could take a quarter of a century before leaks are reduced to an acceptable level - and ten years until all lead piping is removed from public mains.
It says it will need €600m every year to bring the network up to European standards.
Minister Brendan Howlin says the charges have been set until 2018 - and sees no need to increase them:
The Environment Minister has rubbished the idea that metering should be suspended to focus resources on addressing the boil water notices.
Irish Water has admitted that it will be 2021 before boil water notices are eliminated.
Minister Alan Kelly has told Northern Sound that boil water notices are an absolute priority for Irish Water, but metering will not be suspended:
The comments from ministers came after Irish Water issued a Strategic National Plan for Water Services in Ireland.
The document sets out the challenges faced in the provision of water services in Ireland, and strategies for its improvement.
This strategic plan lays out the steps we must take to ensure the availability of safe drinking water in Ireland and the protection of the environment from the impact of waste water discharges.
The document is divided into six themes: customer service; clean, safe drinking water; effective treatment of waste water; a sustainable environment; supporting economic growth; and, investing for the future.
The plan outlines the weaknesses in the water system, including high levels of water leakages, disruption to supply and varying water quality standards.
It also focuses on the need for greater investment in our water system over the next 25 years. The company claims they will need 25 years to reduce leakage to acceptable levels - and at least 10 years to eliminate lead piping from public mains, warning that 38 per cent of our water will still be lost by 2021.
Irish Water's investment plan lays the blame for the state of Ireland's water supply on funding from successive Governments which "rarely met the levels required".
2021 is also the target date to eliminate all boil water notices while bringing all waste treatment plants to EU standards will also take a quarter of a century.
Meanwhile, the company says Dublin will need a new supply of water by 2020.
The document has been issued in a draft format to allow for public consultation and Irish Water are inviting all stakeholders and customers to give their input.
Paul Melia spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning about the issue:
Jerry Grant spoke to Pat Kenny this morning about the plan for the company. He stated: "We're contractually committed to meter a million households... To interrupt that programme would be madness."
Originally posted at 6.55am
