Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I welcome Sinn Féin's conversion from bullets to ballots and its recognition of this House and its presence herein. The Sinn Féin Senators' colleagues will tell them that, in the past ten to 15 years, I have had many fruitful discussions with Sinn Féin, North and South. I welcome people who have decided democracy is the way forward.

We are debating water charges. I reject the simplistic motion before us. We need to continue this debate in a mature fashion. Water must be paid for and local government must be funded. The Minister's contribution has been helpful and I look forward to further analysis of his proposals and those of the Minister of State who has been given the enormous task of introducing the NewERA policy and putting in place a base for water services.