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

I thank the Minister for that. Last week we had a debate that concluded yesterday in regard to the Water Services Bill and I made a definite point of saying clearly to the Minister that if the Government does not stop the water metering programme, it will be stopped by protesters and heat will not be taken out of the issue but rather it will become more hot. Yesterday, as if to test that hypothesis, Irish Water workers appeared in Carrigmore in my constituency where they were immediately met by residents. Tens upon tens of residents came out to stop them and they stayed there all day peacefully protesting to ensure that no meters were installed. I can assure the Minister that people do not see the sense of water metering because they know that the purpose of it is to prepare for the imposition of water charges and for privatisation. Therefore, water meters will not be accepted. Surely the Minister can see that the project has to be halted. Is he going to continue to have huge numbers of Garda resources imposed on communities to get the water meters installed in the remaining areas, which are the ones where there is the strongest opposition to water meters? Are more people going to go to prison in opposition to water meters even though the water charges have been suspended?

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