The Oireachtas committee on water charges could be facing collapse without a final deal actually being reached.

It's after Fine Gael and Labour said they would refuse to back the final report after a series of votes today.

Last week the major parties agreed in principle to only issue fines or charges to households who use an excessive amount of water.

But Fine Gael has now accused the other parties of voting in favour of language which suggests there will be no charge at all.

Our political correspondent Gavan Reilly reports: