I would like briefly to welcome the political students of Sallynoggin College of Further Education who have come to the Dáil today.

All politics is local.

I suspect young people interested in politics hope to get from political representatives clarity and clear principles on important issues. I suggest to the Minister that when it comes to this so-called expert commission on water, what we are getting from this Government and Fianna Fáil is a monumental political fudge designed to save the blushes of Fine Gael and most particularly Fianna Fáil and leave the door open for the future reintroduction of water charges on the basis of this so-called excessive water charge. For the past two years, in unprecedented numbers, the people of this country, who have been assaulted with austerity and injustice, have taken to the streets and said they do not want household water charges - full stop. The one useful aspect of the commission's report is the confirmation of something we and the people on the streets have been saying, that Ireland does not have a problem of excessive household usage. In fact, we use 20% less water per household than Britain does, which has had charges and meters for many years. There is, therefore, no excuse or justification on the basis of water conservation for water charges. Irish people are conscientious in their use of household water. It is agriculture and industry that use the vast bulk of water, not households.

They pay for it too.

Order.

They already pay.

Order for Deputy Boyd Barrett.

Does this Government understand a simple thing called democracy and the will of the people, who have said they do not want domestic water charges? Does it understand that there is now no justification for domestic water charges? Does Fianna Fáil understand that people do not want water charges rolled up into another regressive tax by linking them with property tax? I do not know if Bertie Ahern suggested that idea to Fianna Fáil, but if he did, Fianna Fáil would want to think very seriously about rehabilitating him.

Bertie is back.

There is a clear mandate for this Dáil.

Back again.

When will the Government stop the delay and obfuscation and simply accept the democratic will and mandate of the people to get rid of household water charges, establish the right to water as a human right and pay for the urgently needed investment in our water infrastructure and conservation through progressive taxation?

Thank you, Deputy.

It should make companies like Cerberus, the property vultures and other corporate vultures pay their taxes instead of consistently screwing ordinary householders.