The Taoiseach says there is "no basis" for claims that households will have to pay €100 a year in standing charges for Irish Water.

It follows reports yesterday that the agency had submitted plans for a 33% charge on the average bill to the energy regulator.

Irish Water refused to comment on the reports. The company issued a statement confirming they did make a submission to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) on 'tariff structures', and that will be part of the public consultation process that is due to get underway shortly.

But Enda Kenny has told the Dáil that Irish Water will not be responsible for deciding the amount that households will have to pay.

The issue of a standing charge dominated Leaders' Questions in the Dail this afternoon.

The Taoiseach says the report simply is not true.

While speaking yesterday, the Environment Minister Phil Hogan told Midwest Radio the government has made no decision yet on a pricing structure for water charges.

He said people will just have to have patience and wait for the government to make an announcement.