The Taoiseach said at the weekend that the protests were about more than water. I believe he is right. In February 2011, we were told that by the end of this Government's term in office, Ireland would be recognised as a modern, fair, socially inclusive and equal society. Cuts to rent supplement, child benefit, back to school and footwear allowance and respite care grants are just a few of the measures which have ensured that did not happen. Water is a very important issue for the Irish people and the whole concept of Irish Water goes against the grain of the idea that water is a human right.

Much play was made at the weekend over the disturbances at the protest which took place at the event the Tánaiste was attending. Do I agree with objects or abuse being thrown at the Tánaiste? No, I do not. Do I agree that the protests were generally peaceful? Overwhelmingly so. The fact is that the protests taking place in recent months have overwhelmingly been peaceful. This protest is not led by any political party or any groupings of politicians. It has been led by the people. It is a grassroots movement based in communities. People have no problem paying for water through a progressive central taxation system. People are interested in conservation of water. In fact, they are more interested in that than is the Government. What have Ministers done about harvesting water, implementing controls on tap pressure or introducing double cisterns in order to conserve water? They have done nothing about any of these. What has the Government done about the fact that sewage is going into the sea at Duncannon and the beach has lost its blue flag? For nearly four years, the Government has done nothing about that.

We have had a lot of talk about democracy in recent days. If the Taoiseach is so interested in democracy and so convinced that he still has the people with him, why does he not call an election? Will he dissolve the Government and call an election today? His Government has lost its mandate to govern.

The Government no longer represents the majority of the people and if the Taoiseach thinks otherwise, let him go to the country and let the people decide.

The answer to the Deputy's question is "No." The Government's first action on its election was to reverse the cut to the minimum wage which applied to so many people who were on lower incomes.

First, the Government did a U-turn.

The Government reversed the two lower levels of the universal social charge on lower income families and did not cut any of the core rates in social protection payments.

It did cut the core rates.

The Government increased the level at which people paid the higher rate of tax, taking thousands out of the income tax net. It reduced income tax at the highest level. The return in income tax which will take effect in pay cheques in January will, in one year, far outweigh the contribution to be made to Irish Water.

Deputy Mick Wallace referred to protests. I would have thought the Deputy, as a man of the people who has stood on many building sites, would dissociate himself completely from what happened over the weekend: homophobic remarks, taunting, vicious language and kicks and belts given to completely innocent people. If that is what he stands for and they are the people for whom he speaks, he has lost the support of the people. People with different political agendas descended on the Tánaiste’s car like hounds after a fox and it was disgraceful. Deputy Paul Murphy addressed the nation and said it was fine and peaceful and happened behind the Tánaiste’s car. He would not like to be hemmed in by a baying mob for two and a half hours. He should have the courage and gumption to apologise unreservedly to the Tánaiste for what he caused over the weekend in Jobstown.

The Tánaiste should apologise-----

Deputy Joe Higgins is yesterday's man.

The Government, through the people's sacrifices, has brought about an income tax reduction for the first time in years. Starting in January 2015, the reduction will far outweigh any water charge during 2015. It will be repeated in 2015 for 2016 and beyond, if the people decide to re-elect the Government. This is where we need to be, investing for the future. I agree that access to water is a human right, but does Deputy Mick Wallace believe it is right that people should have to boil water for ten years and that people all over the country should have to put up with inferior infrastructure when what is flowing through the pipes is unfit for human consumption?

The Government should do something about it.

It is time to fix all of it and invest for the future. That is the purpose of Irish Water, to be able to borrow off Government balance sheet and provide for the future for the very many people who do not have the facility now.

Will Deputies please stay quiet?

Deputy Patrick O'Donovan is harassing us.

The Taoiseach knows well that the protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful. Why did he not make an issue of the woman who was thrown against a lamp post outside the Mansion House?

What about the Tánaiste's detention for two and a half hours?

That does not seem to concern the Taoiseach nearly as much. The Government has lost the plot.

The Deputy has lost the plot, too.

The Taoiseach said he had listened to the people. Had he done so, the Government would not have been back-pedalling for the past two months. It would have abolished the water charges and consigned Irish Water to the dustbin of history, where it belongs. It is a structure that will not work properly and if the Taoiseach does not abolish it, somebody else will. It is not fit for purpose. It was structured without consultation with local authorities; it has spent a fortune on consultants and was a waste of money.

It was not the only waste of money.

Deputy Mick Wallace should pay his way.

How, in God’s name, can the Taoiseach say he has any appetite for reform? He has appointed an insider to the police authority to ensure he will retain 100% control of it.

Get out of it.

Pay your way.

The Taoiseach talks about working towards having a fairer society. Why did the budget favour the better-off?

Actions speak louder than words.

Why does the Taoiseach continue to waste money on Irish Water and stand over the indefensible? He should abolish Irish Water and save the State a fortune.

The majority who walked recently in respect of Irish Water and water charges carried out their protest in the way one would expect, perfectly legitimately and peacefully. They made their point and the Government has listened to the concerns and anxieties they expressed.

It heard what it wanted to hear.

I thank the Garda for the restraint it has shown in the face of unmitigated viciousness. I saw people attempt to kick gardaí, knock them down and steal their equipment.

Spitting.

Did the Taoiseach report it?

This was not a peaceful protest and, as I witnessed last night, not in keeping with what the leaders of the protest group said to gardaí. Tomorrow the Minister will announce the formal Government decision on these matters. We have listened to the people and will act accordingly. The Government has provided €2.2 billion in next year’s budget for the provision of social housing, for which there is a serious demand, and measures to stimulate the construction sector.

It is to be spent over four years up to 2018.

Everybody will gain from the reductions in income tax levels.

No, they will not.

That is just ignorance.

The tax reductions and benefits people will receive will far outweigh the contributions they will pay for water.

No, they will not. That is wrong.

I deplore the Deputy’s comment on the person appointed as chairperson of the independent policing authority. That person has an outstanding record, is beyond repute and will make an outstanding chairperson of the interim policing authority.