Changing water meters will be at low cost and many will "go well beyond the indicated life span of 15 years", according to Tánaiste Joan Burton.
Ms Burton was responding to Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Environment and Local Government Barry Cowen during Leaders' Questions in the Dáil this morning.
She accused Fianna Fáil of looking to identify "anything and everything" to denigrate those who work in water services and providing clean water for the country.
Minister Burton accused Mr Cowen of being concerned "about a ball of smoke".
Mr Cowen accused the Government of secrecy around Irish Water.
She reiterated that the water meters will take "five minutes to fix, and will cost €50 per meter".
He asked Ms Burton where the value for money was, pointing out the problems in hospital Emergency Departments.
In response, Ms Burton said the Governor of the Central Bank, who is before the Banking Inquiry, "is retelling the sad story how Fianna Fáil chose to expend €34bn on Anglo and Irish Nationwide".
