Séamus Healy (Tipperary, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

In the general election of 2016 the electorate democratically decided to abolish water charges and Irish Water in electing 90 Deputies committed to abolition. However, Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, the Labour Party, the Green Party and the Endapendents have shamefully rejected the democratically expressed wish of the people. Yesterday Fianna Fáil caved in on water charges, ably assisted by the Labour Party and the Green Party. Water charges can now be phased back into operation over time. The intention is probably to do so after the next general election, but the Minister should make no mistake about it: the Right2Water campaign has not gone away and people power can and will stop any attempt to reintroduce water charges. Yesterday Fianna Fáil voted against amendments to recommendations on water charges which it had proposed last week. On all key row-back amendments the Labour Party and the Green Party voted with Fianna Fáil at the committee. Then the Labour Party and the Green Party, hardline supporters of charging for water generally, cynically voted against the final report.

It is important to recognise that the gains won by the Right2Water campaign have been retained. There will be no immediate return to general water charges, those who did not pay will not be pursued and those who did pay through fear or bullying will receive refunds. The metering of existing homes will remain halted. The anti-water charges campaign has also achieved an increased allowance and equity for those in group schemes. The recommendation that a referendum be held to change the Constitution to prevent the privatisation of water services also remains. However, the U-turn amendments make domestic water a tradeable commodity under EU law. Payments for excessive use to Irish Water Limited commodify water. This will facilitate the phasing back in of water charges over time. The Government can reduce the free allowance, thus making increasing amounts of water chargeable. This may also be used to prevent the holding of an anti-privatisation referendum or to change the wording as new private suppliers of water are entitled to enter the market under EU competition law. This, of course, was also facilitated by Fianna Fáil in agreeing with Fine Gael that the abolition of Irish Water would be outside the terms of reference of the Oireachtas committee. In addition, Fianna Fáil has conceded that the metering of new builds and refurbishments will continue in a further U-turn by the party. Fianna Fáil has proved again that it simply cannot be trusted. Right2Water campaigners will continue to campaign with the same vigour against these U-turns as we campaigned against water charges to achieve the gains made.

We already pay for water and will not pay a second time. Fine Gael, the Independents, the Labour Party, the Green Party and Fianna Fáil must not be allowed to restore water charges. They will also attempt possibly to increase PAYE, VAT, or both, to make us pay for water a second time. We are already paying for water services through existing general taxation but the money has been diverted to other purposes, including tax concessions to the very wealthy. The financial assets, shares and bank deposits of the Irish super-rich are now €35 billion more than at peak boom levels in 2006 and €70 billion above bust levels in 2008. Those huge untaxed gains are due to the sacrifices and hardship endured by the blameless majority of the people. It is time the Irish super-rich gave back something. I will propose in the Dáil that significant taxes be imposed on those assets to pay for improved public services. There must be no increase in taxation such as PAYE, VAT or motor tax to make us pay a second time. I will also advocate at a legislative stage in the Dáil that Irish Water be abolished and its functions returned to local authorities and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.

The Right2Water campaign will continue to organise and to fight against the water charges. Fine Gael and the Independents, Fianna Fáil, the Labour Party and the Green Party are hell bent on using water charges and additional taxation to soak citizens in order to protect massive incomes and the assets of the Irish super-rich. We will continue to resist this agenda into the future.

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