Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The former Minister of State the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Fergus O'Dowd, established Uisce Éireann on behalf of the Government. These are his words and not mine or those of an Teachta Martin. Deputy O'Dowd pointed out it has become "another cosseted quango with a bonus culture". This is what he said. An cuma atá ar an scéal seo anois ná go bhfuil uisce faoi thalamh agus nach bhfuil cúrsaí soiléir agus oscailte. He stated he simply could not believe when he heard last January that bonuses were to be paid to Uisce Éireann staff, and he recommended they be scrapped. He stated he made the point at every high-level meeting that disadvantaged groups should not suffer an unfair burden. He stated he was ignored. He also stated he raised these issues with the Taoiseach. He stated the exemptions are not wide enough and appealed to the Taoiseach to look again at the support services available. These remarks are not those of the leader of Sinn Féin nor of a Teachta Dála ó Shinn Féin. Seo iar-Aire Stáit ag caint, an fear a chur an dlí os comhair na Dála. It is an example of dysfunctionality at the heart of the Government.

I have a number of ceisteanna. Does the Taoiseach agree with former Minister of State, Deputy O'Dowd, on these specific questions? Does he accept that Irish Water-Uisce Éireann is not working? Will he scrap the bonuses? Will he acknowledge that many households simply cannot afford to pay the Government's water tax? Will he abolish this water charge as the former Minister of State indicated?

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