Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We are supporting this Bill because it takes the pressure off taxpayers, at least for nine months, who are at the end of their tether. We will support any mobilisation and any campaigns of the Right2Water movement to try to refocus political minds on what we regard as very unfair water charges and the unfair implementation of water charges.

The elephant in the room has to be the shambles that is Irish Water. I do not believe anyone in the Chamber could stand over the way Irish Water has functioned since it was set up. I note that in Connemara people are having water meters installed again. It started again last week. They are angry because water pipes are leaking and they have not been fixed. Other water pipes have not been buried, etc., yet, there seems to be plenty of money to continue with the water metering system.

There are major issues around Irish Water and that needs to be tackled as well. We have made these points on the record and we will continue to do so. It is with reticence that we support the Bill. We do so merely since it takes the pressure off stretched citizens. However, no one should be under any illusions: this is the new politics of Fianna Fáil forcing Fine Gael to put this legislation to the Houses in order that they can kick to touch politically. They have succeeded in doing that.