Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Hard-pressed families are waiting for and worrying about the water bills that Fine Gael and the Labour Party are preparing for them. The Taoiseach will recall that he rammed through the water services legislation and used the guillotine to suppress debate. He even caused an unprecedented walk out of Opposition Deputies. Despite his stated commitment to political reform, he consistently failed to provide important information to the Dáil, governing instead by press release. He makes important announcements outside of this House. He does not govern by democratic debate in the Oireachtas. He created a fog of confusion. The briefings with conflicting figures causes additional anxiety for households. Last week he refused to answer straight questions and the Tánaiste, when questioned by Deputy McDonald, also refused to answer straight questions. Why does the Taoiseach and his Ministers persist in refusing to make themselves accountable to the Oireachtas when they are clearly able to leak information to the media?

Will he take this opportunity to clear up one matter? I presume he will not give us the details on his water tax proposals.

If, as the Taoiseach claims, the Government does not envisage the privatisation of water services, will he support the Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (No. 3) Bill 2014 put forward by Sinn Féin, which seeks to ensure the right of all persons to sufficient, safe and accessible water and that water services and infrastructure remain in public ownership? If that is his position, will he support our Bill?

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