Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Eoghan Murphy for sharing time.

While canvassing on Clonard Road in Crumlin during the recent local elections, I was asked by a lady whom I was canvassing for. I introduced her to a young girl who was running for the Fine Gael Party for the first time. The lady said she had hoped I was not Deputy Joan Collins and was not canvassing for her party, because she had been told previously by the Deputy not to pay waste charges and had ended up with a bill of €1,500. She and many of her neighbours were disturbed that they had been given false information when they were told not to pay the charges. I hope Deputies who ask people not to pay the water charges will pay the arrears that accrue to their constituents in the months ahead.

I was disappointed to see a news report featuring Deputy Paul Murphy, a new Member of the Oireachtas, claim with a grin on his face that he had arranged an agreement with the protestors to let the Tánaiste go. What a pathetic way to begin one's career in politics. This is not the Middle East.

We live in a democratic society. I say to Deputy Paul Murphy, and other people and parties in this Chamber who act like him, that they are not the law.

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