The Taoiseach Enda Kenny says the government will make a decision shortly that will provide "clear and accurate" information on water charges.

Mr Kenny made the comments in an address to Facebook staff at their new offices in Dublin this afternoon.

He admitted politicians do not get it right all the time, but that clarity on water charges would be brought soon.

Earlier, Environment Minister Alan Kelly all but confirmed that the cap on water charges will be extended into 2016.

The minister said the government will decide on major changes to the charges system in the next week or so.

He said the charges will be "modest" and that customers will then have certainty about the bills they should expect for years to come.

He also said it is important to acknowledge the "concerns" of people who protested at the weekend:

Meanwhile the CEO of Irish Water, John Tierney, has apologised for how the rollout of water charges have been handled.

He said he and Irish Water recognise the huge numbers who showed up at protests last week and they are determined to get the system working properly.

Newstalk's political correspondent Páraic Gallagher explains the likely options facing Cabinet in the coming weeks over water charges: