Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has said "pricing arrangements" and proposals for the establishment of a company to administer water charges have yet to go before Government.
Speaking as he entered Government Buildings for today's Cabinet meeting, Mr Gilmore said in response to questions on payments for water meters, "proposals for pricing have not yet been worked out".
He said a number of stages had to be undertaken which included installing meters and agreeing a water allowance for each home and the charges that would apply thereafter.
He also said the Cabinet will be discussing the establishment of the new Irish Water Company today.
It has been reported this morning that householders will face an annual charge of up to €40 a year over 20 years to cover the cost of the water meters.
That would be on top of any water used.
Ministers are expected to sign off on the State body that will take over responsibility for water services later this morning.
Bord na Móna and Bord Gáis are in contention, with the latter tipped by some observers to be the preferred choice.
There has been controversy over the issue since it emerged that householders would have to pay for the meters that will determine the bills they will face for domestic water supplies.
A Government spokesman insisted last night that there would be no upfront bills for the devices, and that in any event charges would not be levied until 2014.
