Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Anti-Austerity Alliance) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government allows for the establishment of an Oireachtas committee on water services. We are given to understand the expert commission will hand its report to the committee next Wednesday, 30 November. I watched the Minister of State, Deputy Damien English, on the television last night. As he sought to defend water charges, he said, with an arrogance that was reminiscent of Phil Hogan, "drink all the rainwater you want." That is what it reminded me of. As ordinary people are determined not to pay, the Government must choose between abolishing the charges or facing the mother of all battles.

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