Ann Graves (Dublin Fingal East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Sinn Féin is intent on scrapping water charges once and for all. We have been consistent in our opposition to this taxation. To be clear, water is not free. Households pay for their water. It is an essential service and is covered by general taxation. Consecutive Governments have wanted the public to pay for their water three times - through general taxation, the costs of setting up and running Uisce Éireann and, finally, failed water charges. We are introducing this Private Members' Bill to send out a clear message to the public. We are true to our word. We oppose water charges and now we want to bury them once and for all.

When Fine Gael and the Labour Party attempted to impose water charges, they were met with mass resistance and people power. I was proud to play my role in the Right2Water campaign in Swords. Right2Water was a coalition of trade unions, communities and progressive political parties. Sinn Féin activists were central to its success. We leafleted, marched and picketed until the Government finally paid attention. Now it is time to finish the job. We submitted draft legislation to put water charges in the rubbish bin. This legislation is crucial because the public simply does not trust Government on this. The Minister's Government commissioned a report, so it is looking at introducing water charges. He can say the charge will only be for so-called excessive use, but it is a smokescreen for the introduction of domestic water charges for all households. This is exactly what happened when Fine Gael's Phil Hogan established Irish Water. This Government has no mandate to introduce domestic water charges. There was no mention of them in its manifesto and no reference to their introduction in its programme for Government. Now it is time for it to make up its mind. If it is serious about not introducing water charges, I urge the Minister to support this Bill and allow it to progress to the next Stage. If he opposes the Bill, it will be a clear indication that the Government intends to reintroduce water charge. The public will not stand for that.

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