The Minister for the Environment has said Irish Water will not be privatised despite concerns expressed by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
Alan Kelly was responding to a question from Sinn Féin's Brian Stanley in the Dáil this morning.
Mr Stanley said there was broad concern among workers over the possibility of the utility becoming privatised.
The minister said while he noted ICTU's comments, Irish water would not be privatised and provisions were in place to ensure that would not happen.
Minister Kelly said the Government had taken legal advice on the matter, and every check and balance had been done to ensure privatisation would not happen.
Speaking during Leaders' Questions, Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald accused Labour of being a Fine Gael mouthpiece on the issue of water charges.
She said there was not a "sliver of difference" between the two parties.
Ms McDonald said Labour came to office on a promise and a platform for opposing water charges and now "staunchly defends the indefensible".
Tánaiste and Labour leader Joan Burton said Ms McDonald only cared about sound bites and has "nothing of substance to say about this debate or any other debate".
She said the Government will have room for spending between €1.2bn and €1.5bn in the next budget.
