Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yet those on the Fianna Fáil benches pursue their policy of prevarication, delay and, ultimately, deception. I do not believe they intend to see through on their promise to abolish water charges. Those on the Government and Fianna Fáil benches need to understand that those who proposed the introduction of domestic water charges have lost the argument. I heard Deputy Barry Cowen, in a volcano of bluster, talk about why the people had voted one way or the other in the general election and the outcome of that contest. What is absolutely clear is that a majority of those elected to the Dáil were elected on a platform of abolition of water charges. The question is whether they will actually make good that promise. That is what this debate is all about. It is about whether those of us who said to the tens of thousands of people and more that we would see to it that these unfair charges, a form of double taxation, would be lifted are as good as our word.

Sinn Féin, in tabling this motion, is demonstrating categorically its commitment to this policy. We said to the people that we would see to it that water charges were abolished and this motion is about making that happen. Similarly, the other Deputies who signed the motion are being true to the commitment they gave. When called out on its promise the Fianna Fáil Party had done what it always does, namely, prevaricate, delay and attempt to deceive. Perhaps it will remember that this is not a game and that when its members knocked on doors and gave a commitment on water charges, people took it at its word. That may not mean much to Fianna Fáil but I suggest it should. It certainly meant something to people when they went to the polling stations and, more important, it means a great deal to people as they plan their households budgets and water services and consider how they will get by from day to day.

I heard the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Simon Coveney, waxing lyrical earlier about his desire to create a water secure economy. I did not hear him refer to a water secure society. I never hear any of the Government Deputies speak about old age pensioners for whom the water debate is about the water to boil a kettle, have a bath or cook dinner. That is where this debate is and it is what they all miss.

Those who advanced a case for water charges lost the argument. It is now time they accepted that and while they may not like to do so, that is their problem because the democratic wishes of the people have been expressed and the democratic promises of elected representatives have been made. This evening's debate will divide those who are as good as their word from those for whom their word means nothing. It will divide those of us who listen to people and are in touch with their everyday experiences from those who live in ivory towers. It is as simple as that.

Anyone who opposes domestic water charges has the opportunity to express that opposition democratically and through a vote. Anyone who does not support the motion does not support the abolition of water charges. That is what this debate boils down to.

I congratulate everybody who has held firm on this issue against all the odds and in the face of the great and good, the experts and the naysayers. The ordinary people said, "You are not doing this". The Government will abolish water charges now or later. It should be clear that this must mean abolition and not suspension.

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