The Public Expenditure Minister has ruled out calls for the government to hold an early election over Irish Water.

Brendan Howlin is rejecting the calls from Sinn Féin, who say the government has lost its mandate.

In the Dáil this lunchtime Mary Lou McDonald said the government must either abolish the charges or call an early election.

The call comes after yesterday's major demonstration against water charges in Dublin.

Minister Howlin says the numbers signing up for water charges prove the government has the backing of most people, with more than 90,000 more people having registered since the announcement of the new water charge package last month:

At least 30,000 turned out for yesterday's mass protest yesterday, calling for water charges to be scrapped.

Gardaí say 30,000 plus attended the Right2Water demonstration on Merrion Square. Organisers, meanwhile, said the figure was closer to 80,000, with others estimating more than 100,000 people were in attendance.

Another national rally is planned for 31st January.