Opposition Urged To Clarify 'Inconsistent And Contradictory Statements'

Opposition parties are being called on to clarify their "inconsistent and contradictory statements" made on water charges.

Following an appearance on RTÉ Radio One's Saturday programme, Minister for European Affairs and Data Protection, Dara Murphy, said: "I was joined on today's panel by TDs from the opposition parties who were talking out of both sides of their mouths on the water issue.

"The Government listened to the people and this week provided certainty with the announcement of an affordable and simple charging system for water. The Government's position is clear. Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin now need to explain their respective positions to the electorate. The time for populist, inconsistent and contradictory statements on water has passed. The Irish people need to be clear on where the opposition stand."

Minister Murphy also said that he was "alarmed" by a Socialist Party suggestion that banks and multinational companies in Ireland should be nationalised.

"This Government has worked hard to reduce the huge burden placed on the Irish people by the effective nationalisation of the banks during the crisis by the previous Government," the minister said.

"It is remarkable that the Socialist Party and Sinn Féin could even entertain such an idea, which would reverse the progress we've made, place a massive burden on taxpayers and the public finances, and bring us back to the dark days of the banking crisis. Sinn Féin need to clarify their position on this issue."

(MH/CD)