A cabinet minister admits it is "not helpful" that the public do not yet know the full details on water charges.

Brendan Howlin has hinted he is not happy with other ministers revealing small details of the new system, without a full deal being agreed.

He says the public wants certainty about water charges - which is not helped by others leaking information about parts of a new scheme.

Other ministers say homes who do not pay their bills will not have their water pressure lowered, but also say the Revenue Commissioners will not be asked to collect unpaid bills.

Mr Howlin is a member of the Economic Management Council, which is trying to put together a new regime of charges in the wake of public anger.

He says the sooner the public has information, the better. But he says the government's new regime will deal with all the concerns of the public.

While the Heath Minister Leo Varadkar has said there are a number of alternatives to cutting off water supplies for non-payment: