The Environment Minister Alan Kelly says it is up to his predecessor, Phil Hogan, to answer questions concerning what he knew about the €50m spent on consultants at Irish Water.

Mr Kelly was commenting on reports that his predecessor signed off on a budget breaking down the establishment costs of the utility three months before denying he knew the specifics.

Mr Hogan is in the running for the EU Agriculture Commissioner position, having been included on a list of nominees on Friday.

Mr Hogan was one of 26 names that President-elect Jean-Claude Juncker sent to the Italian Prime Minister in his capacity as President of the EU Council.

The Council has to now agree to the list - after which it will be published in the the EU Statute Book.

But Mr Hogan is now facing calls to account for what he knew and when about Irish Water.

However, Mr Kelly says it is too soon to talk about bringing Mr Hogan before a Committee.