Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach said at the weekend that the protests were about more than water. I believe he is right. In February 2011, we were told that by the end of this Government's term in office, Ireland would be recognised as a modern, fair, socially inclusive and equal society. Cuts to rent supplement, child benefit, back to school and footwear allowance and respite care grants are just a few of the measures which have ensured that did not happen. Water is a very important issue for the Irish people and the whole concept of Irish Water goes against the grain of the idea that water is a human right.

Much play was made at the weekend over the disturbances at the protest which took place at the event the Tánaiste was attending. Do I agree with objects or abuse being thrown at the Tánaiste? No, I do not. Do I agree that the protests were generally peaceful? Overwhelmingly so. The fact is that the protests taking place in recent months have overwhelmingly been peaceful. This protest is not led by any political party or any groupings of politicians. It has been led by the people. It is a grassroots movement based in communities. People have no problem paying for water through a progressive central taxation system. People are interested in conservation of water. In fact, they are more interested in that than is the Government. What have Ministers done about harvesting water, implementing controls on tap pressure or introducing double cisterns in order to conserve water? They have done nothing about any of these. What has the Government done about the fact that sewage is going into the sea at Duncannon and the beach has lost its blue flag? For nearly four years, the Government has done nothing about that.

We have had a lot of talk about democracy in recent days. If the Taoiseach is so interested in democracy and so convinced that he still has the people with him, why does he not call an election? Will he dissolve the Government and call an election today? His Government has lost its mandate to govern.

The Government no longer represents the majority of the people and if the Taoiseach thinks otherwise, let him go to the country and let the people decide.

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