Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Anti-Austerity Alliance) | Oireachtas source

We are opposed to both nominees who represent the 1% in this country - the elite. As a result, they are collectively responsible for the biggest bank bailout in the world. They are collectively responsible for the horrific austerity that destroyed public services and heaped austerity taxes on the people. They are responsible for the immense housing crisis we face because their policies put the profits of developers, bankers and big landlords ahead of the right to a home. They are also both deeply conservative, which is why, despite the non efforts of the Labour Party in the last Government, we still have the eighth amendment and some conservative Independents in the talks apparently threatening to block even a discussion on its desperately needed repeal.

What is going on here? Why is it that we do not have a Government? Why are we here for the third time? Is it, as superficial commentators suggest, that the Taoiseach and Deputy Micheál Martin just do not get on, that their text messages have crossed each other and that there is some problem in communication? There is something much deeper happening and it is a fundamental crisis for the 1% in the State, its political system and way of ruling. It is the same crisis one sees in Spain. Since the foundation of the State in a counter revolution in 1922, there have operated two choices that offer the same thing. One is in government, while the other is the main party in opposition. I refer to the two trusted parties of the establishment. Simply put, they cannot rule in the old way anymore, which is why we have a crisis. The question for us is not to choose between two nominees who offer exactly the same thing but to recognise the opportunity to build a massive left, workers' party which will not betray people but which will stand for principled socialist change and which can achieve a left Government that will put people's needs before profit. Whatever Government emerges will be right-wing. That is the reality. However, it can be a weak and unstable Government. The lesson for people to draw is that they should mobilise against such a Government whenever it implements a policy that is against their interests and that they can achieve victories against such a Government.

To take one issue - the policy that dare not speak its name - we have still not discussed water charges here, despite it being a key issue in the general election. The only information we get is through contradictory, confused leaks from different sources in different newspapers that make no sense whatsoever. It is the issue they do not want to discuss because it is the one on which there have been immense mobilisations. Yesterday, a number of people were arrested at peaceful anti-water meter protests in Wicklow. They should be defended. Today or in the next couple of days we will receive new payment figures from Irish Water. It is exactly three months since we received the last payment figures. If we get to the real figures as opposed to the spin from Irish Water, they will illustrate an increase in the level of non-payment. The other key point is that 99 Deputies were elected with a mandate to either suspend or abolish water charges and abolish Irish Water. If Fianna Fáil or any of the Independents involved in talks do not deliver on this, they will not be forgiven. They should remember this. The people outside are not going to wait to see what crooked deal can be done between the establishment parties and a few Independents to betray what people voted for in the general election in terms of real change and the abolition of Irish Water.

Whatever Government emerges, the lesson is clear. We must mobilise to bring about change and force the repeal of the eighth amendment, demand action to put the right to a home before the profits of the 1% and get rid of water charges and austerity and, in doing so, prepare the way for the real change we need, that is, a left Government that can be delivered. That means building a mass left party.

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