Irish water charge move is delayed
The introduction of water charges in the Republic of Ireland has been delayed.
Deputy Prime Minister Eamon Gilmore said the charges would not be introduced in January next year.
Mr Gilmore told RTE that it had always been the position that the introduction of water charges was dependant on the introduction of metering.
He said it was now clear sufficient metering would not have been carried out by next January.
Mr Gilmore said the eventual introduction of the charge "will really depend on what progress is made on the installation of meters and I expect that to take some time".
Four days ago, Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan said that the charges would come into effect on 1 January next year.