Fianna Fáil has denied they are opposing water charges to make them more popular with the public.

The party’s spokesman on local government Barry Cowen has rejected claims that they have done a U-turn on the issue.

Fianna Fáil originally suggested paying for water to help upgrade the country’s infrastructure, however Mr Cowen has said they were unhappy with the billing system introduced by the last Government.

Yesterday Joe O’ Toole, the chairman of the expert group set up to examine the need for water charges, stepped down after a media interview led to allegations of bias.

Fianna Fáil was among those calling for Mr O’Toole’s resignation but Barry Cowen has said their stance is not motivated by popularity.

“We’re the party that said the means and the method by which water can be paid for would in time lead to the introduction of a charging regime,” said Cowen.

“Not the one that is being proposed, not one that comes before the upgrade and making the system and the network fit for purpose.”