39 TDs back Sinn Féin Dáil motion to scrap water charges

39 TDs have backed a Sinn Féin motion to end water charges and scrap Irish Water, with a vote due to take place in the Dáil on Wednesday evening.

Eoin Ó Broin TD told reporters at Leinster House that the Private Members' Bill calls for the ending of water charges, the abolition of Irish Water and the setting of a date for a constitutional referendum to maintain water services in public ownership.

39 TDs have backed the Sinn Féin motion including deputies from People Before Profit, the Anti-Austerity Alliance and Independents4Change.

“Water was one of the main issues in the election and the overwhelming majority of people voted for deputies who want to end water charges,” said Sinn Féin's Eoin Ó Broin.

Richard Boyd Barrett TD of People Before Profit said there are many other important issues to tackle and therefore it is time to get the issue of water charges off the pitch once and for all. 

He called on people to join a demonstration against Water Charges from 5pm on Wednesday night outside the gates of Leinster House while it is being debated inside the chamber.

Responding to claims by Fine Gael that Sinn Féin and others are engaging in “wedge politics”, Eoin Ó Broin said:

“I appreciate Fine Gael find it hard to understand that people would follow through on issues after an election campaign. We're living up to the commitments we made.

“We campaigned to end these charges and abolish Irish Water and we have an opportunity to do this on Wednesday. We're going to continue to press until this unfair charge is gone,” he said.

The cross-party TDs also said Fianna Fáil had campaigned to scrap water charges during the election, and therefore they should live up to their manifesto commitments:

“Clearly if Fianna Fáil choose not to support this motion then they will have to explain to people who voted for them why they chose to do that. I see no reason why Fianna Fáil shouldn't be voting with the rest of us on Wednesday.”