The Tanaiste has dismissed speculation that the Labour Party were going to walk from government over Irish Water.

It was reported that the junior coalition partners were going to pull the plug over on-going rows on the installation of meters and free allowances.

Environment Minister Phil Hogan says he expects to have any outstanding issues resolved over the next week.

Eamon Gilmore says it is people on lower incomes he is most concerned about.

It follows various protests in recent days in parts of Dublin and Cork, which saw Irish Water contractors blocked from working.

Residents in Togher, Co. Cork began demonstrating earlier this week when they blocked metering in the Ashbrook Estate - and on Wednesday the protests spread to Raheny in Dublin.

And there are reports that Irish Water contractors left an estate on the north side of Dublin following a protest. The demonstration took place at Watermill Drive in Raheny after a resident rallied locals via social media.