Deputy Paul Murphy says that the Environment Minister, Alan Kelly, is using Irish Water workers as a bargaining chip to maintain the charges.

It comes after Mr Kelly called for a 'common sense debate' on the future of Irish water.

He said that he would be writing to the leaders of all political parties urging them to meet with Ervia staff before making any decision on their future.

However, Anti Austerity TD Paul Murphy says that this is cynical and that these charges need to be abolished as a matter of urgency;