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19 December 2013

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Video: Opposition TDs walkout in protest at Water Services Bill

Fianna Fáil leader Michéal Martin (left) and Sinn Féin's Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin lead a walkout of opposition TDs

They need to end the pretense that they are allowing any kind of democratic discussion in there,

OPPOSITION TDs have walked out of the Dáil chamber in protest at the decision by the Government to guillotine debate and rush through a bill which will bring in water charges and privatise water provision.

The Water Services Bill 2013 will provide for the transfer of powers for water provision from local authorities to Irish Water, and allow for Irish Water to introduce water charges from next year.

Sinn Féin, Fianna Fáil,  independents and a number of Government TDs who have lost the whip all walked out of the Dáil chamber over the lack of debate.

Speaking to An Phoblacht, Sinn Féin spokesperson on the Environment, Community and Local Government, Brian Stanley TD, described the move to guillotine the debate as "a charade" and an "absolute disgrace".

"The Government need to end the pretense that they are allowing any kind of democratic discussion in there," he told An Phoblacht outside Leinster House.

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