Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The proposition is very flawed for a Bill that has such import in terms of how it will impact on families and individuals throughout the length and breadth of this State. We are talking about providing for speaking time tomorrow. This is huge legislation and people are watching this with great interest. It is a fact of life that the Friday sittings will only apply to those who are actually scheduled to speak. We will not have a ministerial audience beyond whatever limited number the Government provides in order to hear the contributions. The contributions of Members who will speak here tomorrow are very important, and a great number of Members will not be here tomorrow if they are not actually scheduled to participate. That is not the case on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday because even if we are not in the Chamber we are following what is taking place, but that will not happen when those who are not required to be here are in their constituencies. It is unacceptable. The Friday sittings provide an opportunity to address legislation that is, by comparison, more minuscule in terms of its impact. This is seismic. There can be nobody under any doubt about it, and then the Government seeks to go on to Committee and Report Stages on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.

The reality is that legislation of this consequence should have the normal provision of the period of time that applies, at least a couple of weeks, from its publication. This Bill was only presented on Tuesday evening and within a week the Government will have it pressed through the House because of its number of Deputies. As other speakers have said, the consequences will be severe on people but make no mistake, they will also be severe on the Members opposite in political life. I believe that will be demonstrated very clearly once again next Wednesday outside the gates of this institution when people will muster in huge numbers.

I say to the Tánaiste that she should draw breath on this. There is only one decision that has to be taken and that is to withdraw this legislation and not proceed with the water charges as proposed, which are unacceptable. I believe what the Government is doing and the approach it is taking is wholly unacceptable.

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