Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

It is entirely appropriate on the hundredth day of the Government being in office that we debate the introduction of water charges. Fine Gael pledged that it would not charge for water until a new water authority had been established and each home had been fitted with a water meter. This has now been set aside, like other promises, and a flat rate is to be imposed on every household, irrespective of consumption. The Labour Party argued against the introduction of water charges while in Opposition. Both parties said a flat rate charge would be unfair and both parties are now introducing a flat rate charge.

Ba chóir do Fhine Gael agus don Lucht Oibre a bheith macánta linn agus leis na saoránaigh. Níl anseo ach cáin eile. Bealach eile é seo chun cáin a bhailiú. Anois, ós rud é go bhfuil siad i gcumacht tá siad an déanamh an rud céanna agus a rinne an Rialtas rompu. Cá bhfuil an difir idir Fhine Gael, Páirtí an Lucht Oibre agus Fianna Fáil ar an ábhar thábhachtach seo?

Claims that water charges are about improving water conservation or the level of service are nonsense. This is a family stealth tax. The Government also plans to spend €500 million or more on installing meters. That money would be better spent on improving water distribution, cutting down on the amount of water, over 40%, that is lost through leaking pipes. Such a substantial investment would also create and retain jobs in the local economy.

Access to clean and safe water is a basic human right. Water charges are an unfair and entirely unjust form of double taxation. In the North, Sinn Féin blocked the introduction of water charges. The Government should abandon its plans to introduce these service charges. Sinn Féin believes water services should continue to be held under the operational responsibility of local authorities and in full public ownership. We also support the establishment of an all-Ireland water and sewerage authority to ensure that water quality and environmental standards are met and to facilitate co-operation across this island to reduce costs and maximise efficiency.

I call upon other Deputies to support this motion. I also ask you to note, a Chathaoirligh, that I finished within my time.

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