Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach knows all about changing his tune. His manifesto, the basis on which he was elected, and the mandate he was given were torn up as soon as he got his bum on that seat. He ignored the people and gave us lofty rhetoric about the democratic revolution, but he would not let us discuss the issue in the Chamber because of the imposition of guillotine after guillotine. It was unprecedented that all of the Opposition parties and Deputies walked out in protest at the way the Government was imposing this unfair tax on citizens. The Taoiseach's words are without substance. I am disappointed with what he said because he said he would ignore the grouping of people I had identified, which he must know in his constituency, who just could not pay. These people, including elderly persons on their own who do not like to be in debt, are afraid, waiting for the bill and do not know how to pay it. Sinn Féin has proposed a Bill tabled by its environmental spokesperson, Deputy Brian Stanley. It is a constitutional amendment Bill to allow for a referendum to retain control of water services in public ownership. The Taoiseach protests that there is no privatisation subtext or agenda. Having said he will ignore the people on the issue of unfair water charges, will he say the Government will facilitate and support Sinn Féin's Bill and allow it through the Houses of the Oireachtas speedily to allow the people a say in a referendum on the issue as quickly as possible?

See this speech in context