Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

I would like clarification of how the Taoiseach intends to deal with No. 19a, the motion on water sector reforms. I assume it is on the Order Paper for tomorrow. When will Members of the Dáil be furnished with that report? For several days Government Ministers have been placing stories on water charges - the changes they propose to make and the alleged good news they propose to give - with their favourite journalists, who then go on broadcast media, like Government spin doctors, to relay that news. It is highly cynical of the Government, and contemptuous of ordinary people and elected representatives. For several months we have had fear, insecurity and uncertainty, particularly among vulnerable members of our community such as those who are on pensions and living alone, about the new tax the Government proposes. The situation has been stoked up and made worse by all the speculation in the media, which is planted and fed by Government Ministers. Early tomorrow morning, for example, there will be a full motion, in which is encapsulated the latest proposals to resolve the incredible mess the Government has made of the illicit attempt to introduce a new water tax. It is critical that we have that debate.

See this speech in context