The Tánaiste has said the government should have decided on the level of water charges for households "months ago".

Eamon Gilmore's told the Dáil that the CSO's projected average costs of 240 euro a year are too high for families on lower incomes.

In a sign of deepening tensions in the Government, he's also demanded more details on how charges will be applied to families who don't have meters installed before charges begin in October.

Our political correspondent Gavan Reilly reports.