The Taoiseach has told the Dáil the Government has no plan to re-introduce water charges.
Mr Ahern was responding to a question by Socialist Party TD Mr Joe Higgins about a recommendation contained in the report by the "three wise men" that charges should be brought back.
"Where is no proposal to bring back water taxes", Mr Ahern said, adding: "I'm sure the deputy will be disappointed to hear this".
In a statement later Mr Higgins said: "We will be keeping a close eye on the situation, in view of the many policy u-turns since the General Election."
The "three wise men" were appointed by the Government to independently review public spending, and recommended that after the Budget, the Department of Finance should focus on spending between 2004 and 2006.
They suggested that charges could be applied for the use of drinking water and sewerage treatment requirements.
In his speech on the Budget, Mr Ahern pointed out that in formulating the Estimates, the independent review group's recommendations "informed the decision making process".
But he said: "It is the job of Government, however, to evaluate choices and make final decisions, taking all factors into consideration".
The review group comprised Mr Maurice O'Connell, former governor of the Central Bank, Mr Kevin Bonner, former secretary general of the Department of Enterprise, and the former chairman of the Revenue Commissioners, Mr Dermot Quigley.