A Clare Fine Gael TD insists his party isn't making a u-turn on water charges as Government formation talks continue.
Negotiators from Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are expected to return to talks this afternoon in a bid to thrash out a deal on a minority Government.
It's understood the latest compromise on offer from Fine Gael on water would see the suspension of water charges on a temporary basis.
It's now nine weeks since the General Election and Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are still attempting to reach a compromise.
Since talks between the negotiation teams ended on Friday, Enda Kenny and Micheál Martin have spoken a number of times and backroom staff from both parties have also been working on various areas over the weekend.
But the issue of water charges remains a stumbling block.
The latest compromise from Fine Gael would see the temporary suspension of the charges, while a Commission looks at a new charging regime that includes waivers and allowances.
Clarecastle TD Joe Carey is denying that his party is making a u-turn on the issue and he says he'd be very uncomfortable with a suspension of charges.
A temporary suspension may not be enough for Fianna Fáil who've stuck to their position that charges must be suspended for at least the lifetime of the 32nd Dáil.
The Irish Independent's Environment Editor Paul Melia, says the failure to reach a deal reflects bady on both parties.
Negotiating teams from both parties are expected to resume talks this afternoon – but tensions remain high, with backbenchers in both parties sticking to their guns and believing that maybe a second election is the solution.
