Plans to start charging households for using too much water have been postponed indefinitely.
Irish Water had initially planned to start billing customers next year, but this was later pushed back to 2022.
This year Irish Water was to begin advising people if they were using too much water. Households would then have the chance to repair leaks or reduce consumption, before bills for excess use started to arrive in 2022.
Households with up to four residents will be allowed 213,000 litres per year, anything above that will cost the bill payer €1.85 per 1000 litres.
While the utility doesn't explain why the charge has been further delayed, People Before Profit TD Brid Smith thinks the timing is significant.
In a statement Irish Water now says it's still working with the government and the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities on rolling out the charge and no date has been agreed.