People are protesting against the introduction of water charges, which can cost households more than €500 (£390) a year.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators opposed to the introduction of water charges in Ireland surrounded the country's parliament bringing Dublin to a near standstill.
In the early 19th century the introduction of water closets meant that cesspools began filling up more quickly, overflowing onto streets and into cellars.
Whatever happens, the Home Office statement assures, any introduction of water cannon will be subject to a full "community impact assessment", whatever that is.
The introduction of water reduces the melting temperature of the rocks and allows material in the wedge to melt and rise to the surface.
Despite exiting the international bailout last year, a growing economy and falling unemployment, the introduction of water charges has proved to be the potentially lethal issue that could doom the current Fine Gael-Labour coalinion in the 2016 general election.
Meanwhile, the government has found itself in difficulties over a range of cutbacks to social services and new revenue-raising measures, including the introduction of water metering and septic tank inspection charges.
Further pain, including a broadening of the tax base and the introduction of water charges, may be on the way.Such measures will squeeze a country already reeling from recession.
They asked Gordon Brown, the prime minister, to pay for winter-fuel grants for Northern Ireland's pensioners, and for water services so that they can postpone the introduction of water rates.
The past week has, inevitably, spawned many knee-jerk policy proposals, from the imposition of a curfew and the eviction of convicted rioters from public housing to the introduction of water cannon and plastic bullets, previously used only in Northern Ireland.
