Irish Water impasse can be broken if Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael let Dáil motion go ahead

THE IMPASSE on Irish Water and water charges claimed by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil to be stopping the formation of a new Government could be broken if they would allow the water charges motion tabled by 39 TDs to be debated and voted on by the Dáil, Sinn Féin said on Tuesday.

The motion has been signed by TDs from Sinn Féin, the smaller Left parties and Independents.

● Sinn Féin Senators Fintan Warfield, Rose Conway-Walsh and Trevor Ó Clochartaigh elected in past 24 hours

Presenting just-elected Sinn Féin Senators Fintan Warfield, Rose Conway-Walsh and Trevor Ó Clochartaigh to the media at Leinster House, Director of Elections David Cullinane TD said there is no need for Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil to be deadlocked.

“It's very simple – Fianna Fáil should support that motion. We want that motion debated and voted on as quickly as possible and then they can get on with forming a Government.

“Then TDs can get on with holding the Justice Minister to account on gangland killings, and dealing with issues such as healthcare and housing.

“Water is important and it needs to be dealt with but we also have a housing catastrophe and a nightmare for families in emergency accommodation or living in parents' front rooms. We also have this report today which outlines the unfair nature of our healthcare system.

“These are the issues that we need to be discussing in the Dáil as well but we are being held to ransom by the two main parties who are wrangling over water charges when it is totally unnecessary.”