The Energy Minister says the cabinet has made no decision to introduce flat rate water charges for households.
It follows reports that the installation of water meters will take much longer than originally planned.
The Environment Minister announced earlier this year that meters would be in homes by 2014 – but the company responsible for installing them – Irish Water – says it will take up to three years for the job to be done.
It was reported at the weekend that a flat rate water charge would have to be introduced as an interim measure.
But Energy Minister Pat Rabbitte says no such decision has been taken by government.
