Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance) | Oireachtas source

The Chairman has needlessly interrupted people and made the debate very difficult. It is absolutely clear that a majority of Deputies were elected on the basis of opposing water charges. Even if that were not the case, it is absolutely clear that the majority of people are not paying water charges. Tens of thousands of people were on the streets to protest on Saturday even though nothing is happening with water charges. No bills are being issued yet people still have strong feelings about water charges. I suggest Mr. Keohane recommends that the water metering programme is stopped, in case the commission on the Dáil in general votes to abolish water charges, because it would be throwing good money after bad. That is my top suggestion for Mr. Keohane.

My last comment is connected to what Deputy O'Dowd asked. We have tabled parliamentary questions on Irish Water but have been told to toddle along-----