Water charges suspended for 9 months

The Government survived its first key vote of the 32nd Dáil last night to suspend water charges for nine months, despite criticism from the Opposition.

The vote was won by 59 votes to 38, on foot of Fianna Fáil’s abstention.

Independent TD Micheal Fitzmaurice voted with the Government on one of the amendments, despite not signing up to the deal with the other Independent Alliance TDs three weeks ago.

A Labour amendment was voted down minutes before by 59 votes to 47, as Fianna Fáil abstained after two nights of debate.

During the exchanges last night, Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe said the abolition of water charges will mean limited tax revenues will have to be re-directed from crucial services in order to fill the hole.

He severely criticised Sinn Féin for engaging in the politics of old rather than acting in the best interests of the country. “This has nothing to do with water. This is more to do with the politics of old and if we suspend water charges, then tax revenues will have to be re-directed from elsewhere,” he said.

Mr Donohoe became embroiled in heated exchanges with Sinn Féin TD Dessie Ellis, who he accused of shouting down anyone who disagreed with his position.

Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar said a water charges system based on how much people use is what is needed. He said there is agreement more investment in water is required but said water charges is the best way to fund that investment.

Junior minister Damien English called on TDs to use the nine-month period to arrive at a consensus as to decide the future of Irish Water. “The shouting and roaring hasn’t gotten us anywhere. We accept mistakes have been made. But let’s have the conversation as to how to get it right,” he said.

He denied the privatisation of Irish Water is the Fine Gael agenda, as claimed by Opposition TDs.

Clare Daly slammed Mr Donohoe’s comments. She said the previous government’s efforts to cut the tax bills for high income earners and big corporations undermines his credibility.

A host of Sinn Féin TDs voiced their desire to have charges scrapped, saying that is the will of the people.

Dublin Central TD Mary Lou McDonald criticised Fianna Fáil’s U-turn on charges and pre-election commitments to abolish Irish Water.

Cork South Central TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire also piled on the pressure on Fianna Fáil.

“I listened to some of the Fianna Fáil contributions to the debate last night. They seemed rather sore and their contributions were worthy of pantomime season in the Everyman Theatre or the Gaiety Theatre,” he said.

“We heard of ‘magic money’, ‘grandstanding’, and ‘empty rhetoric’. It was all very entertaining stuff but it was part of a vain attempt to distract from the fact that Fianna Fáil will vote with the Government against a simple and clear motion calling for the end of water charges and the end of Irish Water, which will not fool anyone,” he added.

Independent Cork North Central TD Mick Barry added his voice in opposition to the water charges regime.

Earlier, Sinn Féin and the Right to Water campaign held a rally outside the Dáil.

Independent TD Michael Lowry was jeered as he made his way through the crowd on his way to Leinster House.

A short time later, former environment minister Alan Kelly was also subject to jeering from the crowd of several hundred people .