Water-based heckles mopped with CSO figures

Ministers smiled a lot in the Dáil yesterday. Government backbenchers had a spring in their step and were in strong voice when heckling the Opposition as Tánaiste Joan Burton took Leaders’ Questions.

It was not just the summer break that had given them this new sense of energy. The CSO figures, published earlier, showing that the economy had grown at its fastest rate in seven years, had given the Coalition a major boost.

And the Tánaiste was clearly intent on putting the good news on the Dáil record at every opportunity.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin wanted to concentrate on the water charges, claiming there was mounting concern and anxiety among many people.

Burton went on the attack. Fianna Fáil’s proposal had been for an average flat charge of €400, she said.

Independent TD Finian McGrath had some advice for the Government. “Will they fix the pipes and get on with it,” he said.

Burton claimed Fianna Fáil’s position was cynical in the extreme.

"Hear, hear," said Fine Gael backbencher Bernard Durkan, having clearly read the CSO figures. "Well said."

Burton said that investment in a decent water infrastructure was essential for economic recovery and the annual creation of an additional 1,000 to 2,000 jobs.

“That will not wash,” said Independent TD Mattie McGrath.

Burton was bursting to refer to the CSO figures and she finally got her way when she said that Ireland was probably the strongest growing economy in Europe.

“Nonsense,” said a voice from deep on the Opposition benches.

“These are the CSO’s figures, not my figures,” replied Burton. “They are independent figures by a respected organisation.”

Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald was determined to rain on the Tánaiste’s parade and referred to people living in economic distress and poverty.

“I am sure we are all agreed that we do not want any citizen to live in poverty . . . yet that is the reality for many people,” said McDonald.

“It is perverse for the Tánaiste to suggest the introduction of another tax on something as fundamental and basic as water is somehow an assistance to these families.”

She then referred to Labour’s political past. “This party believed once upon a time that it was wrong to charge families for water,” said McDonald.

Burton hit back with a reference to McDonald's party in the North when she asked: "Why in Northern Ireland has Sinn Féin an average household charge of almost €1,000?"

Then it was the turn of Independent TD Joan Collins to question the Tánaiste on behalf of the technical group. She advised Labour to distance itself from Fine Gael promises of tax cuts in the budget, arguing that the priority should be reversing cuts in social services and welfare.

Burton spoke of budgetary commitments in the welfare area already announced by Taoiseach Enda Kenny and herself and referred again to the CSO figures. She said they showed the economy in serious recovery. “The figures are quite striking,” she said.

With two byelections and a budget due next month, and the Coalition waving the CSO figures at the Opposition, the political temperature is rising rapidly. And a cold shower will soon be an expensive remedy.