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

We can agree on the point that we should behave in accordance with how we were elected. The majority of Deputies in this Dáil were elected on the basis of the abolition of water charges. That is a statement of fact. The Government does not need a commission, a committee or a long, elaborate process of reflection to understand that reality. That is what the majority of Deputies, including this crowd here in Fianna Fáil, were elected to do. Committee or no committee, the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Coveney, was quite clear in saying that those who have not paid will be pursued. I want to know what that means. Does that mean that this matter will go through the courts? Will the Government use the Revenue Commissioners? Will it deduct money from people's social welfare payments? I will enlighten colleagues that this is not a matter which those affected will be happy to leave in abeyance or about which they will just wait and see. Lots of people paid this charge because the Government browbeat and bullied them into it. Many did not pay because they simply will not pay as a matter of principle. Lots more did not pay because they could not pay. Those people need to know today whether it is the intention of the Government, as enunciated by the Minister, Deputy Coveney, to pursue them through the courts, by means of the efforts of the Revenue Commissioners or via their welfare payments. Will the Minister, Deputy Bruton, please make a clear statement on the matter?

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