Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ar dtús, ba mhaith liom fosta comhbhrón a dhéanamh le Fianna Fáil agus do theaghlach an tUasal Joe Walsh, a fuair bás. Go ndéanfaidh Dia trócaire air.

Ba mhaith liom, ar ábhar eile, mo thacaíocht a thabhairt do na mic léinn a bheidh ag caint as Gaeilge ar feadh 24 uair ar fud na tíre. Tá súil agam go leanfaidh siad ar aghaidh.

Ach, níl an uisce imithe fós. I want to ask the Taoiseach about the issue of water bills for families awaiting them in trepidation, which issue has still not be sorted out. The anxieties and stress of families has been increased by the Government's unwillingness, even yet, to tell them how much they are to be forced to pay. If this incompetence on behalf of Government was not bad enough we have now learned that Irish Water will fix only the first leak that occurs in a householder's garden. Leaks inside the home or a second leak in a garden will be the sole responsibility of the householder, who will also be forced - this is quite bizarre - to pay for thousands of gallons of leaked water as well as any damage caused by such leaks. If a plumber came to my house to fix a leak and did not do so properly I would be sending for him to fix it as opposed to having to pick up the bill through his incompetence. If this is not bad enough we have also learned that insurance companies are saying that they will limit the liability to householders who face these major bills as a result of burst pipes. Does the Taoiseach believe that this is acceptable?

The Taoiseach will be aware that tens of thousands and scores of other thousands of people throughout this State are protesting and have stated very clearly that they cannot afford to pay this water tax. Perhaps the Taoiseach will set out the Government's position in relation to families being hit with massive bills for water leaks and are to be denied insurance cover.

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