The Environment Minister has said he will not rule out giving the Revenue Commissioners the right to chase unpaid water bills.

Alan Kelly says he cannot rule anything in or out until new plans have been approved by the cabinet.

Mr Kelly has also refused to comment on whether some people could face higher water charges in return for others having their charges cut.

He says decisions should be made by the whole government, and they are not up to him alone to comment on.

“All issues are being discussed in relation to (the Revenue Commissioners).

“I’m not ruling it in or out but issues like that are broader than just my own ministerial area and I have to be fair to cabinet and cabinet responsibility in relation to those discussions,” Mr Kelly said.

Yesterday, Mr Kelly apologised for “major failings” in the way Irish Water was set up. The Environment Minister also admitted the founding of Irish Water was done with an unrealistic timescale and said he had “no objection” on holding a referendum to put a “no-privatisation of Irish Water clause” in the Constitution.