An estimated 1,200 anti-water charge campaigners in Cork have heard Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins call on the anti-water charge movement to run candidates in every Dáil constituency.
Mr Higgins said that the electorate in every constituency deserve a chance to voice their opposition to the programme of austerity introduced by successive governments.
Speaking at a rally in Emmet Place following a march from the Grand Parade through Patrick Street, Mr Higgins said the next general election offers people a chance to effect real change.
He urged people to boycott the bills currently being sent out by Irish Water and to continue to protest and march before suggesting further action should also be considered.
“Should we not consider in the general election itself putting up anti-austerity candidates in every constituency against the parties of the water charges,” he asked.
"Should we not run candidates ot take them on in every constituency - to knock out Fine Gael, to knock out Fianna Fáil and above all to knock out the treachery of the Labour Party."
Mr Higgins told the rally which was organised by the We Won't Pay group that the Anti-Austerity Alliance had examined the Government's figures for funding Irish Water.
And they had found that if the Government raised the tax on the major corporations by just 1 per cent, it would raise five times what the Government was seeking from householders annually.
“We say - put that tax on big business, not on the working class who can pay no more,” said Mr Higgins to loud applause from the crowd who filled Emmet Place in the city centre.
One of the organisers, Councillor Mick Barry of the Socialist Party and Anti-Austerity Alliance said that thousands attended the rally but gardaí estimated the attendance at around 1,200.
Mr Barry told the rally that if enough people boycotted their water charge bills over the coming months, it would force the Government to abolish water charges once and for all.
He warned if people did pay their water charge bills, then they can expect Irish Water to raise their charges over the coming years with the company being privatised.
“If they get they get foot in the door for their water charge and it comes in and people are paying it - when the cap is lifted, the water charge will go through the roof,” he said.
“But if enough people boycott the charge and there can be no penalties for a year, then there will be serious pressure on the next government after the next election to abolish the charge.”
The march was attended by local anti-water charge groups from all over Cork city and county as well as a number of trade union groups as well as members of several political parties.
In addition to members of the Anti-Austerity Alliance, the protest was also attended by several members of Sinn Féin as well as a group from the Workers Party.
Meanwhile Cork North Central TD and Minister for State Dara Murphy urged people to register for the government's €100 water conservation grant which they can put towards their bill.
“If people pay and register before June 30th, they will get the water conservation grant and that will bring their bills down either €60 or €160 per year,” he told Cork’s 96FM.
"We are the last country in Europe to bring a water charge so that we can have an adequate and safe supply for the people of this city and this county and this country.
“We know it is difficult for people to pay anything adittional but it is an investment in securing and ensuring this country had a proper water supply.”
