Government, FF reject Dáil vote on motion to abolish water charges

There were further sharp exchanges in the Dáil on Wednesday morning as the Government and Fianna Fáil rejected a demand for a vote on a motion abolishing water charges.

The House is scheduled to have a series of statements on Irish Water later today but no vote.

Acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny said discussions were underway between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil to reach agreement on the formation of a government, while also consulting Independent members.

“It is also true to say motions will not impact on and change legislation that is necessary, were it the desire of the House to do what is intended here,’’ he added.

Mr Kenny said some of the debates in the House had brought forward important views from members on various issues.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael had agreed to allow statements on Irish Water but no vote. "That is not good enough,'' he added.

“The Fianna Fáil manifesto clearly called for the abolition of Irish Water and for scrapping water charges and that is the mandate they should be true to.’’

Mr Adams said 39 TDs had tabled the motion to abolish charges, reflecting the mandate given in the election to the majority of members of the House.

“It appears Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have concocted a fudge to push this issue up the road so that Fianna Fáil can support Enda Kenny being returned as Taoiseach,’’ he added.

AAA-PBP TD Paul Murphy said a majority of TDs had a mandate to end water charges and abolish Irish Water.

“It is not good enough we have discussions today without making decisions,’’ he added. “We should allow motions to be taken today and we should vote on motions.’’

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said it was untrue to say parties had colluded to prevent a vote. The House was in a limbo situation in that a government had not been formed and it was not correct to say anybody was prevented from tabling a motion.

The Dáil's standing orders, as they were, did that, he added. "Motions on their own will not end water charges,'' Mr Martin said.

“It will take the formation of a government to bring an authoritative and legislative process to end water charges if that is the desire of Dáil Éireann.’’

The House agreed to Wednesday’s schedule, which also includes a debate on Ireland’s stability programme update, by 94 votes to 44.