Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil may be moving towards a compromise that could avoid a government collapse over water charges.

Both of the parties have made new submissions this afternoon to the oireachtas committee on the future of water charges.

On their face, both are keeping their positions. Fianna Fáil wants total abolition of charges, Fine Gael says it would be illegal to do so.

But both are indicating that their positions could be diluted, depending on the advice given by a new legal team.

Fine Gael has agreed to ask the Oireachtas' independent legal team to consider the arguments put forward by Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin.

The indication appears to be that if their argument holds water, Fine Gael will go along with it.

Meanwhile Fianna Fáil has also said it accepts the need to curb excessive water use.

It says this can be done under existing laws enacted in 2007.

However it's believed that if the Oireachtas' legal advice says otherwise, it might be prepared to look at other measures.