Labour's Pat Rabbitte says Government control of Irish Water is none of Eurostat's business.

The former Communications Minister said the EU agency's description of Irish Water as a non-market agency controlled by government amounts to "moaning".

“Since 1922 (Irish) governments have, quite properly, appointed the boards of big utilities - like the ESB and Bord na Mona and Bord Gais and all the rest of them - and that has nothing got to do with anything and it’s none of the business of Eurostat,” he told Newstalk Lunchtime.

Opposition figures are calling for the utility to be scrapped in light of the ruling, with some suggesting this may be a significant blow on the way to the end for Irish Water

Rabbitte said the current government can’t afford to “take fright” and give up on Irish Water

“You can’t afford to take fright in government because there is an outcry. There are always difficult decisions (in government),” he said.

Listen to the full interview with Pat Rabbitte on Newstalk Lunchtime