A Dublin TD has branded the water shortages in the city as 'embarrassing'. People living in the capital are bracing themselves for overnight cut-offs to supply which will last until Monday.

It is because of a problem at a water treatment plant in Co. Kildare. Restrictions will be in place from 8pm to 7am each night.

Dublin City Council operate the plant and the authority is reassuring people that there is no problem with the quality or safety of the drinking water supply.

Householders in all local authority areas across the capital are likely to lose supply.

Dublin City Council have issued a statement saying 'We strongly urge consumers all over the Dublin Region to help conserve water by restricting their use of water during the day as much as possible, especially over the coming days. Small adjustments to some of our daily activities can help to significantly reduce the volume of water we use without impacting on our lifestyle.'

Labour TD for Dublin South-East Kevin Humphreys says it is exceptionally bad PR for the city.

While Adrian Cummins, Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI), says this does not bode well in support of water charges for 2014.

For more information from Dublin City Council visit their website.