Government amendment on water charges carried

The Government had a comfortable victory of 60 votes to 39 in the Dáil on its proposal to suspend water charges for nine months while a commission deals with the issue.

Fianna Fáil abstained, securing the Government’s victory.

The amendment countered the Sinn Féin Private Members’ motion calling for the abolition of water charges and Irish Water.

Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe said there was an “opportunity cost” to water charges not being available to fund infrastructure. He said “that means there are other things the exchequer will not be able to do”.

To heckling from Sinn Féin he said it would mean “tens of millions for primary care centres and hospitals” would not be available. “The reality of this is very clear if the Dáil takes the decision to go ahead with the abolition of charges.”

Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice said there should be a referendum to ensure Irish people would retain control of the public water supply.

“We know now the charges are gone but, at the end of the day, whether you pay with the right hand or the left hand it is going to be paid, whether by exchequer fund or otherwise.’’

AAA-PBP TD Gino Kenny said the collapse in income for Irish Water, a fall of 21 per cent in the last quarter, had shown the Government’s retreat had turned into a rout.

Labour TD Seán Sherlock said his party believed those who had paid their charges, in accordance with the law, should not now be unfairly disadvantaged compared to those who had not.