Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Some Members of this House need reminding that the people have marched in their tens of thousands against water charges and have resisted the installation of water meters outside their homes and on their streets and that most Members of this House were elected by the people on the back of manifestos calling for the abolition of water charges. The Right2Water movement demonstrates the widespread resistance to water charges. It is still there and is as strong as ever. Its demands are clear and are representative of the people. Sinn Féin has made our position clear. We have called for the abolition of water charges. However, other Members in this House should adhere to the will of the people and the promises they made and make their position clear.

It would, at this point, take some research to track the wild turning in Fianna Fáil's position on water charges. It certainly has been a journey for the party. First, when in Government it committed to introducing water charges. Prior to the last general election it said it would abolish the charges but then we had suspension. Yet Fianna Fáil made a submission to the expert commission calling for the abolition of the charges. However, now - wait for it - Fianna Fáil does not rule out supporting the reintroduction of domestic water charges in the future. Credit where it is due, at least the party is consistent in its manoeuvring and flip-flopping on the issue. The authority rests with this House to act now, listen to the people and abolish domestic water charges.

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