The Taoiseach has revealed he declined an offer from gardaí for extra security in the wake of the water protests.

Enda Kenny has told a Dáil committee scrutinising his department's budget for this year that if extra security around the President is suggested by gardaí then it will be provided.

He has again described as disgraceful a recent protest of the President where Michael D Higgins was called a midget and a parasite.

Mr Kenny says he does not feel his own security needs to be beefed up at this stage:

Earlier this month it had been reported that security had been tightened up for the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and other Cabinet ministers.

It was also suggested Enda Kenny had been advised to vary his route to and from Government Buildings as part of the new measures.

Meanwhile, the Environment Minister has said he abhors some of the behaviour of anti-water charges protesters.

Alan Kelly says the people installing water meters have been treated appallingly, with one individual being bitten.

Minister Kelly says there is no question of the installation of water meters being scaled back, and that they are ahead of schedule.

And he praised the gardaí for their work in policing the protests:

Originally posted at 16.10