David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

We are borrowing hundreds of billions of euro to pay back speculators and gamblers, yet the Government is saying people have to pay more in stealth taxes. We are borrowing money to pay back the gambling debts. This process was begun by Fianna Fáil and is being continued by the Labour Party and Fine Gael. The same people who have been crucified and hurt so much in recent years should not be asked again in the next five years to shoulder the blame and responsibility. The Government should not take more money out of their pockets which they do not have to give in the first place. That is why Sinn Féin opposes the water charges Fine Gael and the Labour Party are proposing to bring in.