It is increasingly clear the Tánaiste still has not understood what the people are saying on the issue of water charges. Hard-pressed families are not looking for a temporary reduction in their bills. Families at risk of poverty, including working families, are not looking for a social welfare payment. In October, 100,000 people marched through Dublin and made this crystal clear. In November, 150,000 people marched throughout the State and made this crystal clear. They are simply not in a position to pay this unjust charge. They are opposed to it and they are telling the Government to scrap it. Instead of listening to the people, the Government is cooking up some half-baked package of measures which it hopes will get it through the next general election. This is not good enough.

The Tánaiste claims she wishes to help people so perhaps she can help today. Will she give a commitment that she will not allow unpaid water bills to be deducted at source from people's wages, pensions or social welfare? Will the Tánaiste further confirm she will not allow attachment orders to be used by Irish Water to enforce payment?

The priority of the Government is to offer people, as I have stated in previous discussions, a clear modest affordable charge with regard to Irish Water. We have listened very carefully, unlike at times Sinn Féin, to what people have had to say. We have been working on a package, which my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, is finalising. This will provide clarity on the Irish Water framework, which has as its objective the provision of clean safe water to people who live in the country, and which will also enable the future industrial and commercial development of the country so we get people back to work. This is an issue for everybody, whether on a high or low income.

In addition, for the first time since the crisis began, I am happy to say we have a budget which will mean that in January and February people will see modest reductions in the universal social charge and income tax, alongside increases in child benefit and a number of other social welfare allowances. We are very cognisant of the fact people have found it very difficult to make ends meet. The budget is a very carefully designed package to provide relief to families and individuals who depend on social protection and social welfare payments, and to families at work, especially those who have told me they would like to see reform and relief and particularly regarding the universal social charge which affects lower-paid workers, about whom the Deputy is speaking, and with regard to taxation.

With regard to Irish Water, I have stated previously what I want, which is what we are working on. This is a programme for a very clear package which, I hope, will be with the House by the end of next week, which will provide certainty as to the charges over a long period of time. I stated before, and I say again, that Irish Water was far too ambitious in its timeline for the very large undertaking-----

You set the timeline.

-----to change water provision in the country from 34 local authorities.

You signed off between 2012 and 2013.

The Deputy may have noticed that in the Galway and Roscommon area, as recently as this week, another 1,000 families unfortunately went on boil water notices. If Sinn Féin has decided the quality and condition of the water is not of enormous concern-----

When will you fix them? You have spent three and a half years talking about them.

-----it is an abdication of where it suggests it would offer an economic recovery for the country. We are providing a tax package and social welfare package which will directly address the families, about which the Deputy is rightly concerned-----

Taxpayers are paying.

-----but these families also need good quality, safe and healthy water and everyone in the country-----

Low income workers-----

If we are to advance employment, industry, business, tourism and agriculture we need good clean water for these purposes also. The overall programme of the Government addresses precisely the points the Deputy has raised.

Raise it in direct-----

The Tánaiste's answer was designed not to address the precise questions I have raised. Leaving aside entirely the fact she is clearly not listening to what people have told her, here is the clarity: people have told her in unprecedented numbers to abolish this charge. That is the message.

Let me return, if I might, to the two specific questions I put to the Tánaiste, who is also the Minister for Social Protection. I asked her specifically to give an assurance to the Dáil she will not allow for unpaid bills to be deducted from people's wages, pensions or social welfare. My second question is to confirm she will not allow for attachment orders to be used by Irish Water for unpaid bills. The House will sit next Friday and I understand there will be a vote. I have wondered to myself, and there is some speculation, whether emergency legislation will be presented, perhaps to allow for these very things. Will the Tánaiste put people's minds at rest and make it clear today that she will not allow for deductions of unpaid bills from wages, pensions or social welfare? Will she please address the issue of attachment orders and make it clear she will not allow for the use of such orders by Irish Water in respect of unpaid bills?

Tell the truth now and shame the devil.

I have been listening very carefully to what people have said-----

Was Deputy Boyd Barrett banging on the windows last night?

I have had the opportunity to be in a number of parts of the country in recent weeks, listening to people, which I do-----

You definitely did not listen to us because you are not answering the question.

I am not sure if Sinn Féin always does, but I certainly listen to people. Listening to yesterday's debate it seems like there was a very large tin ear on the part of many of the people from the Deputy's party on very serious concerns. As I go around the country I listen to what people say to me, and I can only offer the Deputy my experience-----

You could answer my questions.

The Deputy asked me about listening.

There is a time limit.

We asked you two specific questions.

Twice.

May I tell the Deputy about listening? May I answer the Deputy's questions?

Please do.

What people say to me is they want clean reliable water. In Roscommon they tell me they do not want to have to boil water, as they have been doing for 12 years. In Dublin, restaurants and hotels tell me that to continue the tourism and hospitality trade-----

They have boiled it for ten years.

-----Dublin needs a reliable supply of water but it does not have it.

We need answers, not meters, discussions and bonuses.

Please, we are over time.

On the questions in respect of next week, I have told the Deputy already the Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, is finalising a package of proposals on Irish Water. Apart from what I told the Deputy some weeks ago, no agreement has been finalised on the package.

As I think I told the Deputy some weeks ago, I am very confident that the package will address the issue of single person households and households where there are two or more people, and that the charges will be modest and extremely affordable-----

I thank the Tánaiste.

What about the questions I asked?

-----particularly in the context of a budget-----

The Tánaiste did not answer them at all.

-----where the middle income families the Deputy is talking about-----

What about the questions I put to the Tánaiste?

-----the low income families-----

Will the Government deduct unpaid bills from people's welfare, wages or pensions?

The budget has been built-----

Sorry, Tánaiste we are over time. Would you please-----

I have told the Deputy that the Minister, Deputy Kelly, will unveil the budget-----

A Cheann Comhairle-----

We are over time. I call Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan.

-----and will unveil the package next week.

A Cheann Comhairle-----

I call Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan.

A Cheann Comhairle-----

I call Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan.

Deputy McDonald did not answer the questions on "Morning Ireland".

Excuse me, a Cheann Comhairle-----

I call Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan. Would Deputy McDonald resume her seat?

No, I will not resume my seat.

Deputy McDonald did not answer the questions on "Morning Ireland".

Resume your seat or leave the House.

I will not leave the House.

Then I will be forced to put the motion that she leave the House.

My questions were put very clearly.

I answered them.

The Tánaiste did not answer.

The Tánaiste did not answer the questions and she adopts this strategy week in, week out.

I am asking the Deputy for the final time to leave the House.

Two clear questions-----

I am asking her to leave the House.

I am repeating for the final time that I am not leaving the House.

I name Deputy McDonald.