David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The former Minister of State who set up Irish Water, with whom Senators on this side of the House argued for almost 16 hours, now agrees with us that the whole thing is a disaster. The Government needs to wake up and listen. It got a wake-up call in the two by-elections. It got another wake-up call when 100,000 people came out onto the streets. As the Leader of the House will know, I have held a number of public meetings on the issue of water charges in Waterford city and county. The anger out there is real. People on the other side of the House can smile, but they do not get the reality of what it is like for many families that cannot afford to pay another austerity tax. They do not have the money to give. Perhaps the Leader will give some advice to families that cannot afford to pay existing bills. Which bills should they not pay so they can pay water charges? I reiterate my call for a debate. I am seeking to amend the Order of Business to call on the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to come to the House today. I have asked for such a debate on three occasions and every time the Leader has failed to provide for it. I think that is wrong. The amendment I am proposing would require the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to come to the House to discuss the water services plan and all of the issues in relation to it.