TAOISEACH ENDA KENNY was today insisting the “people are in control” when it comes to how much they’ll pay for water.

It follows comments by the Environment Minister that households on long-term boil water notices could be in line for a bigger discount when water charges kick next month.

Alan Kelly said last night that proposals from the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) could give some households with undrinkable water a full discount on the “water supply” part of their bill.

Asked at an event in Dublin today when the Government would be able to give a definitive answer on how people should budget for the introduction of the charges, the Taoiseach said he thought people may be underestimating how much they could save on bills.

“The regulator will issue very clear directives next week,” he said.

“All of the practical, normal questions that people want to ask about whether the first leak will be fixed free of charge, the options that are open for payments — how you can make them, where you can make them…”

Getting into the detail of how people can make savings, the Taoiseach said that people were in control because “you can turn off the tap”…

From simple things like washing teeth to all of the other things that happen, it is possible to save and conserve huge amounts of water.

“We’re spending €1.3 billion on a water system that is losing 40% leaking into the ground.”

Read: Households with undrinkable water could be in line for a bigger discount

Read: Here’s what the Taoiseach has to say about Irish Water and your PPS number>