Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said that water charges will not be the issue to bring down the Government.

The minority coalition has pledged for a vote on charges in the Dáil by the end of March.

A special Dáil committee is examining an expert commission report which suggested that households should only pay for excessive usage.

Mr Kenny says there are a number of issues that will have to be decided.

“Those who have paid should not be treated any less fairly than those who haven’t, and that’s a matter that the committee have got to reflect on now, and bring their proposition to the Dáil,” he said.

“So, in answer to your question – do I think that that would bring the Government down – no, I don’t.

“And what I do believe is that Irish Water as a single entity is already proving its worth.”