Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important motion. It is not illogical to hold a fluid position on water charges but Sinn Féin's contortions are reminiscent of the great Houdini's water tricks. The party has consistently resisted the introduction of water charges in this jurisdiction even though it has adopted a more Jesuitical approach across the Border. For four years, the then Minister for Regional Development, Conor Murphy, MLA, had an opportunity to overturn legislation providing for water metering in Northern Ireland but he did not do so. Under his watch, 23,000 water meters were installed in domestic properties.

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