Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty has today announced that his party will table a motion of no confidence in An Taoiseach Enda Kenny to be debated and voted on next week.
The motion will coincide with the Rigth2Water Rally at the Dáil next Wednesday and will reference the Taoiseach’s failure to listen to citizens on the issue of water charges.
Teachta Doherty made his comments at today’s Right2Water press conference in Buswells Hotel where he called for a huge turnout at next week’s rally to deliver the message once again that water charges must be scrapped.
Deputy Doherty said “Sinn Fein is totally opposed to water charges in any shape or form and feel the introduction of such charges, as announced by Government two weeks ago, is a road to yet more hardship for families across Ireland.
“Enda Kenny is still not listening to the core message being conveyed at the water protests, which is that water charge must be scrapped. He is determined to force these charge through against the will of the people. My party will therefore table a motion of no confidence in An Taoiseach which will be debate and voted on next week.
“We know that once these charges are set in motion prices can only go one way, and that is up. Merely capping charges for a short number of years will be of little comfort to people, the length and breadth of the country, who simply cannot afford to pay.
“Sinn Féin will be asking people to make every effort possible to attend next Wednesday’s Dáil rally. The Government’s water charges must be resisted, defeated and scrapped immediately.
“The Government’s parties are on the ropes on this issue. They are punch drunk and I firmly believe next Wednesday’s rally could be the sucker punch.
“Right2Water will be maintaining the family friendly, celebratory atmosphere which had become the hallmark of the demonstrations so far. If next Wednesday’s rally does not deliver the victory we want then we will continue to campaign right up to and including the next election whenever that happens.
“One way or the other Sinn Féin will continue to play a central role in the Right2Water campaign until these unfair and unacceptable water charges are scrapped.”