Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach ignores the fact that many families cannot afford to pay. They are taking to the streets and are telling the Taoiseach that he cannot force them into this. The Right2Water campaign is a fantastic example of a grassroots people's movement. There is no place in this for the type of treatment meted out to the Tánaiste. There is no place in this for physical or violent approaches. Anybody who is not prepared to behave peacefully should not turn up at any demonstration.

It is no surprise that the Government inflates these incidents to deflect attention from the central issue. The demonstrations that I have been on in my own County Louth, including Drogheda and Ardee, have been family-friendly, good-humoured and peaceful.

The RTE report said that the Sinn Féin stewards tried to get the demonstrators off the road, as had been committed to before the demonstration.

That is what happened in Sligo, as the Taoiseach knows.

Having said that, I appeal for the biggest possible mobilisation on 10 December to demonstrate the continued widespread opposition to water charges and the Government's position on it. Perhaps the Government Members will join the people that day, and then they will not be able to say that they cannot hear what the people are saying.

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