'A Sinn Féin-led government will abolish water charges,' says Mary Lou McDonald TD

MARY LOU McDonald TD says the only way to ensure Water Charges are scrapped is for citizens to elect a Sinn Féin-led Government.

Launching a billboard campaign, the Sinn Féin Deputy Leader called on people to attend their local Right2Water demonstrations across the state on Saturday:

“This is an issue that has mobilised people and communities in unprecedented numbers. There is no doubt water charges is a very significant issue in the upcoming election campaign.

Speaking to reporters at Merrion Square in Dublin, Mary Lou McDonald said:

“In Government we will abolish water charges. We believe this is part of the relief that families who have struggled under this Fine Gael and Labour Government need. This is a positive message, it's a commitment we have made and unlike the Labour Party, Sinn Féin keeps its word.”

The party also pledged itself to holding a referendum to enshrine public ownership of the state's water infrastructure in the Constitution.

Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty accused Fine Gael of returning the state to the failed boom and bust policies pursued by Fianna Fáil in the past:

“Fine Gael and Labour have a policy of benefitting the most wealthy in society. It is not possible to fix the chaos in our health system and provide 100,000 houses if you follow boom and bust politics.”

The Donegal TD said Sinn Féin is very conscious of the regressive austerity measures that have been imposed families across the state:

“We want to ease the burden for ordinary families which is why we are committed to abolishing Water Charges, abolishing the Local Property Tax and taking over 250,000 lower-paid workers out of the Universal Social Charge net.”