Water supplies are expected to get back to normal around much of the country in the coming days.

But it’s likely to be at least another week of disruption for households in Dublin.

Most local councils have restored supplies tonight to allow pubs and restaurants to operate normally for the New Year festivities.

The board of Northern Ireland Water – the government-owned company responsible for supply in the area – has admitted its initial response to the problem was unacceptable.

Nearly 4,500 homes in the North are still without water – ten days into the crisis which was caused by pipes cracking after the cold weather.