It is apt timing that this representative of wasters.com throughout this country will raise the issue of Ireland’s water and the water commission which continues to sit in session today to discuss its report on the future of our water. Over the past few years, hundreds of thousands of people have marched through our capital, as well as various cities, towns and villages, demanding domestic water charges be abolished, never to return, including charges for group schemes, the metering programme to be scrapped as soon as possible, and the assurance we need for our children’s children's inheritance, namely, a referendum to guarantee public ownership of our water.

The adage "a week is a long time in politics" is also apt. A few short days ago, the majority of the 20-member water committee, including the flip-flop Fianna Fáil Party, which was the bright original spark for the water charges, indicated contentment with the draft report. Lo and behold, however, just yesterday supposed fresh legal advice from the same senior counsel - I do not know how that happened - allowed a U-turn. The U-turn will put the emphasis on its own interpretation of the European Union's Water Framework Directive.

The meeting is still in progress and it is unwise to anticipate its outcomes.

I am talking on the back of the protest at the weekend and that Fianna Fáil is not quite ready to pull the Government down. Accordingly, it is acquiescing to the demands of Fine Gael and the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Coveney, to save face.

The important point from the wonderful protest and demonstration on Saturday is that the wasters in this country will not give up and allow the sneaky back door privatisation agenda. No matter how far it is pushed forward, it will not be a viable option. The law has been used to override the democratic opinion of the nation, of the hundreds of thousands who have protested and voted-in a majority of Deputies in the last election who were for the abolition of charges, with Fianna Fáil coming in at the last minute for the suspension of water charges.

The Senator is well over the time limit.

Senator Colm Burke referred to water charges in the North. He sounds like a disgruntled and ignorant broken record. It is about time he educated himself. We will do a statement on that matter if he needs it.

I remind Senators, whether it is on Sinn Féin, Fianna Fáil or Government policy, on the Order of Business, they should raise an issue and ask a question of the Leader. It is not a contest between the various parties on various policies. It is unwise to go down that road as it only leads to tit-for-tat. I am getting a bit fed up of it up here, day in and day out. Many Members are to blame on both sides.