Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin remains opposed to a post-election deal with Fine Gael or Sinn Féin.

Speaking on Friday morning Mr Martin said while he could not predict the outcome of the election, a deal with either of these parties was not being considered.

“Obviously we will work with the next government in whatever capacity the electorate give us. We will behave responsibly in the interest of the country”, Mr Martin said.

“We are going to win as many votes and seats as we can. It is important we debate the kind of society we want, the issues, rather than the horse trading.”

Mr Martin denied the plan to introduce water charges was first mooted by Fianna Fail when in Government in 2009 when draft proposals set out charges in the order of €500 per household for water use.

Asked on the Today with Sean O’Rourke programme on RTÉ Radio 1 if with Fianna Fail in Government charging for water would be forgotten, Mr Martin said; “In the lifetime of the next Government, yes. We are saying that is case until the system is fixed and the infrastructure is properly in place. We are not going to do it for the next five years.”

Mr Martin said to bring any legitimacy back to the whole water charges issue it would be necessary to start afresh. “We do need to go back to the drawing board on this. It has just been a disaster in terms of how this Government has gone about it. The potential capital that has been lost in this overall is appalling”, he said.

Mr Martin said the package of promises Fine Gael was putting forward was probably the most expensive of the entire campaign. It was at €10 billion whereas Fianna Fail’s figure was €8.3 billion. “And importantly, we are taking on board the international climate. If things do not go as planned, if we do not see the economic growth, we will adjust, we will cut our cloth.”

Mr Martin said it was clear from experiences on the doorsteps in this campaign that families need a break. “We genuinely think that. Our manifesto is focussed on quality jobs and overall cutting the cost of living for families. In terms of families we are making provision in terms of reducing drug payment schemes, Universal Social Charge, particularly beginning with the lower to middle income groups. We think that is prudent and it is about giving families a break”, Mr Martin said. -