Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It will certainly have lots of consequences as part of the election. Section 3, and the fig leaf of a standard charge, is like a stay of execution for those who cannot afford water. The charge is only €3 a week in some cases. However, for those who do not have it, they will not be able to pay it. There has been a U-turn on the facility to have a consultation with the people, which has now become a plebiscite, which is not worth the paper it is written on. Section 3 also shows the cost imposed upon people and the next election will allow the people to give their judgment. Just as was the case in Spain, Greece and Italy, the people will vote against those who broke their promises, those who said this was a public service and stated that a flat charge would be unfair. The opinion that a flat charge would be unfair was reported in the Irish Examinerin 2010. I wonder what has changed since 2010, when a former Tánaiste made that statement. It is probably more unfair now, when people-----