Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

Thanks a lot. Perhaps I should remind the Minister that his party stood in the previous general election on a platform of opposition to water charges. Any criticisms he can make about the need to have water charges will rebound on him and his previous position. Our position is clear: we are for the right of everybody to have free and quality water - I repeat, everybody in the State. We do not go in for the urban-rural divide the Government would like us to.

Perhaps the Labour Party conference went to the Minister, Deputy Kelly's, head. I understand there was a motion from the Minister's branch celebrating his role as Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. The Minister spoke about this being one of the best Governments ever. He is completely disconnected from the reality that exists with those couple of hundred people in a room in Killarney all slapping each other on the back. It is going to be awakened: the party will be wiped out, partly as a result of the water charges, and the Minister, Deputy Kelly's, future prospects of being a leader of the Labour Party will clearly be challenged by the fact that he is unlikely to get re-elected as part of the wipe-out of Labour.

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