Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is very clear from the Taoiseach's waffle that he totally underestimates the widespread public anger at the imposition of water charges. They were - let us be fair about it - a Fianna Fáil idea in the first instance, but the Taoiseach has underestimated the determination of people in every house, on every street, in every sráidbhaile and county across the State. He said: "Some people do not want to pay. Some people have an ideological position on this issue." What about those who cannot afford to pay? He is ignoring them completely.

I must confess that, at times, I find it difficult to understand the Taoiseach's attitude. Then I am reminded of the deferential approach he takes to the elites in the European Union, the banking fraternity and big business and his attitude to those to whom he refers as ordinary citizens. These ordinary citizens were on the march last Saturday and I am proud to say I was there with them. They are sick to the teeth of relentless austerity and the endless list of taxes, charges and cuts the Taoiseach has brought in, aimed at low and middle income families. For many, this water tax is the last straw. From the Taoiseach's remarks today and his other remarks, he has dismissed these concerns.

From the very beginning the establishment of Uisce Éireann-Irish Water has been marked by one debacle after another. It is replete with a bonus culture and reeks of cronyism. The Taoiseach if now frantically briefing the media that he will introduce measures to alleviate the burden of water charges and that all of this will be straightened out. He did it again today. Let me tell him that talk of flat charges, changes to the board of Irish Water and improving his communications strategy ignores the main point. What citizens want from him is a clear statement that he has listened to them, heard what they are saying and that he will send a message from here that he will scrap the water charges. That is my question for him today. Has he listened to the people? Has he heard what they are saying? As they cannot afford to pay them, will he scrap the water charges?

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