Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I listened to Deputy Dooley's bizarre speech last night in which he said that Sinn Féin should thank Fianna Fáil for all they have done on the issue of water charges. I am not sure whether he was talking about his commitment in 2010 to introduce it, signing the troika agreement that introduced it or voting in favour of legislation under which Irish Water was introduced. As Deputy Seamus Healy stated in the context of commitments made by political parties in general elections, the reality is that Fianna Fáil should thank Sinn Féin and the other political parties and Independents who tabled the motion. We have allowed Fianna Fáil to vote for their policy. Our commitment is to abolish Irish Water and scrap water charges.

The Government's disastrous water policy has seen millions wasted on Irish Water rather than being invested in our water infrastructure. We should stop throwing good money after bad and return the day-to-day maintenance of water services to county councils. "We will ensure that the Irish Water super quango is abolished, proper co-ordinated investment in water, and the removal of water charges". The latter are not my words, they appeared on the Fianna Fáil leaflets delivered to every house in Donegal only three months ago.

What has changed for Deputies McConalogue and Gallagher? What has made them break their promise to the people of Donegal? Indeed, what has made Deputy Cowen break his promise to the people of his constituency?

See this speech in context