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Updated 5.40pm
MICHEÁL MARTIN HAS said that Enda Kenny is wrong in his assessment that Fianna Fáil wrecked the economy describing this as “overly simplistic”.
In an interview with RTÉs Morning Ireland earlier, the Fianna Fáil leader again challenged the Taoiseach to a one-on-one TV debate.
But the Health Minister Leo Varadkar said he saw no reason why Kenny should debate Martin as he is “the leader of the third party”.
Martin’s comments this morning came after a weekend of heavy criticism at the Fine Gael conference in Mayo where Fianna Fáil was consistently described as the party that wrecked the economy and could not be trusted to take it over again.
Fine Gael sought to undermine both Martin’s party and Sinn Féin in a bid to convince voters that only the current coalition can be trusted to continue the economic recovery.
Speaking to reporters today, Varadkar said he didn’t really think Kenny should debate Martin one-on-one, saying:
“Fianna Fáil is the third party. It was the third party in the last general election. It’ll almost certainly be the third party in the next and is in the polls in the moment so I don’t see why Enda Kenny would go head-to-head with the leader of a third party.”
Speaking to reporters this afternoon, Jobs Minister Richard Bruton said that Kenny already debates “twice-a-week, one-on-one with the leader of the main opposition” in the Dáil during Leaders’ Questions.
“That is where people want to see to the issues of the day debated and the Taoiseach is very adept at handling all of these issues and that’s what he’s offering. He’s offering fully open accountability.”
Listen to what Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan had to say:
hughoconnellthejournal.ie / SoundCloud
Earlier, Martin hit out at Kenny’s record in opposition saying that despite Fianna Fáil carrying out two-thirds of the fiscal corrections necessary under the Troika bailout agreement, Fine Gael had voted against many of these measures.
“He [Kenny] was not a force for stability and he attempted to undermine the then government at every step as it sought in the midst of a severe financial crisis to rectify that crisis through a series of budgets,” he said.
Martin also accused Kenny of delivering “a big political lie” in his Prime Time interview last Thursday, taking issue with the assertion that the current government had negotiated €50 billion in savings on its debt pile.
“This was a big political lie,” Martin claimed.
Finna Fáil has argued that €40 billion of this €50 billion is a result of longer loan maturities, and says that rather than actual savings the repayment of these amounts has just been pushed out to a later date.
Fine Gael hit back at Martin’s interview with this press release this morning:
Speaking in the Dáil earlier this month, Finance Minister Michael Noonan explained how the €50 billion in savings breaks down.
“We replaced €9 billion of IMF debt last year with cheaper market debt and the intention is to refinance another €9 billion in the first half of this year. These early repayment transactions alone will deliver a saving of over €1.5 billion over the lifetime of the loans.
“We also restructured the promissory note, reducing the State’s borrowing requirement by €20 billion in the next decade or so. We have succeeded in gaining concessions from our European partners in the form of maturity extensions and lower interest rates.
“The maturity extension removes a market refinancing requirement of €20 billion for the period 2015-22 and the interest rate reduction delivers savings each year in the annual budget.”
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams weighed in on the topic on Drivetime this evening, saying any debate should involve all three leaders.
Adams said his party wants to be in government, but has to remain “humble”, adding that he isn’t “arrogant enough” to say he wants to be Taoiseach.
He didn’t rule out working with any party after the next election, but did say Sinn Féin “will not do what Labour has done”.
We will not go in as a junior partner of a conservative government … that would be totally and absolutely counter-productive.
He said Enda Kenny should call an election sooner rather than later, stating: “Paddy and Patricia should have the chance as soon as possible to vote.”
Additional reporting by Órla Ryan
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I didn’t apply, for the same reason that I haven’t paid any of the bills. I genuinely believe this absolute mess will be gone after the general election. They can keep sending the bills if they like. Breakfast for the green bin is all they are.
Gerry unfortunately I disagree this mess will be gone after the election. If the polls are even off a bit FG looks certain to be in power again. That means FG will be all over the airwaves saying they have a mandate for Irish Water.
WE’RE NOT PAYING THESE KORRUPT DOGS TWICE FOR OUR OWN WATER!
Got it?
Good.
Sorry don’t take bribes from a courpt government.
As Declan correctly points out when the electorate re-elect FG that will be an endorsement of Irish Water from the public even though it was clearly laid out in their previous election manifesto.
Gerry I understand what you are saying and totally agree with not paying, but our choice not to pay comes at the next GE, I we all truly believe this is wrong then we must vote these clowns out, that’s the only way we can send the message we are not paying, unfortunately if the Irish people are stupid enough to vote these dictators back in them we are all paying, our choice is now, vote them out and we win, simple,
Freebetcity, just as well you weren’t paying the Korrupt kats kountless of times. You’d be in trouble then.
Mick like a lot of people I am in no way happy about how Irish Water was established. The fact remains FG have a strong support and it looks like they will form another government which will be a mandate to have Irish Water in place fully. I would expect once back in government there will be many laws brought in to enforce collections of money owed. Right now they won’t want any bad publicity from irish water and most likely Irish Water were told to keep a low profile until after the election.
Fair play to the true left wing parties for remaining principled on refusing the “bribe”.
They haven’t flip-flopped on this issue, unlike the Shinners.
The total from my 3 bills to date is €9.
I really don’t get what all the commotion is. I pay far more in LPT and USC.
Most those whinging about water charges are just not used to pay taxes.
My total arrears so far are €196..I have my own well and didn’t take the bribe. . Let iw keep sending them ill keep putting them on the fire
IW has failed as will Fine Fail in the elections. I cant wait.
all the temporary foreigners in the city and other renters are being forced to pay, disgrace
Took the grant and conserved water by spending the money on beer :)
Of which at least 50% was tax anyway!
AN Other sellout!
If you believe, like me, that the grant is nothing more than a bribe to try blow life into the pocket stuffing quango that is Irish Water, if you take it….then you are helping to defraud the taxpayer. Don’t take bribes from this Government…..don’t be fingers fumbling in the greasy till.
Alan Nolan, if you have your own well and septic tank, they shouldn’t be charging you for anything. They have made a mistake.
You won’t hear much about the water tax before the election. FG/Labour don’t want it to be an election issue. Out of sight out of mind.
I know it’s kinda comical. But I’m not going to engage whatsoever with iw.
They are a mistake, period.
*In reply to Jack Bowden.
… an endorsement of Irish Water from the public even though it was clearly laid out in their previous election manifesto…
Can you point out exactly where it mentions Irish water?
WATER
Safe, Clean and Secure
• We will ensure the necessary investment is made to provide everyone with running water that is clean
and safe to drink.
Grants for Group Water Schemes
• We will improve grants for group sewerage schemes to the same level available for group water
schemes. This will facilitate the prioritization of infrastructural development and the provision of services
in order to aid housing development in towns and villages outside the main population centres.
Sewage and Waste Water
• We will provide greater investment in sewage services and wastewater treatment throughout the country.
It should be a clear policy objective that all waste water treatment should be brought to the point where
waste water can be returned to the ecosystem without causing any risk to the environment or to human
health.
• We will establish a grant scheme to upgrade septic tanks in rural areas through the installation of
modern treatment systems. Priority will be given to vulnerable areas where existing tanks are causing a
serious threat to public health and the environment.
Mick hannigan your right but half the clowns won’t even vote and the other half vote them back in
Yes that’s only the entry point to get you started, wait till they get going when they get it off the ground prices will rocket, I can’t understand how people can be so naive.
Low charges now to get people signed up then ….Take a step back and think what are your children/grandchildren going to be paying
Dot Cotton, more like
Unless FG/Labour campaign at my door and then they will get it from “both barrels” so to speak! :-)
Private well or not Alan Nolan you are still paying for water through general taxation …
Vat, Paye, Motor tax etc ….
you contribute on avg €600 + a year to the central fund for our water infrastructure -or lack of it ….
This scam is a private company with the main shareholders kelly and noonan who want to privitise it and sell for billions while we the people will not be able to afford Our Basic human Right .. and considering that we the people OWN OUR NATURAL RESOURCES THOSE LEECHES HAVE NO BUSINESS TRYING TO SELL IT OUR OWN IT ……… Our water belongs to us and we pay for it Multiple times …..
No never take bribes and still not paying
You will pay.
Can you see into the future? Again I will never pay and if I end up on prison sobe it am always true too my word unlike are government
Correct if you vote fine Gael / labour they’ll just take it out of you’re wages and welfare.
Proper order too supernova.
Brendan we heard all that before with the property tax. Everyone will eventually pay.
Brendan, be it in the form of higher income tax (because somehow the LLA think paying a multiple of what is originally being asked is a victory), or the water charge or buying bottled water because you can’t drink what comes out of the tap, you will pay.
Dane happy Xmas keep up the good work spouting bull
All these hard men are in for a shock when they eventually have to pay for it!
Still haven’t paid property tax and never will
Just as well you do not need to produce a Tax Clearence Cert to tender for jobs Brendan. They will get you every way with the property tax but still haven’t worked out how to nab everyone with the water tax yet.
They will get you when you sell your house or if you pass it onto you children when you die and your children will pay a big penalty from daddy’s refusal to pay
My Dad registered, got his €100, and annoying texts from IW but hasn’t paid. Good man, Da!!
I’m the same Daisy, had a great night out on the department of social welfare. Conserve water, drink beer :)
On a serious note, if Fine Gael or Labour are returned to power in any capacity then yes it will come from wages/pensions/welfare but let’s wait until we know for sure before making any bill payments!
Brendan, do you own your own home?
Why is everyone calling it a water tax?!? If it was a tax then Revenue would collect it and not Irish Water. It is a charge for a delivery of a commodity!!!
I’ve had 3 bills and a reminder letter so far …. I will not be paying them. I haven’t applied for the ‘bribe’ as I’m not that easily manipulated. Go to hell Irish Water along with FG and Labour
Yez indeed
Hell NO. They still send me out a bill without any name on it. Sorry mate wrong address.
Why would I when I won’t be payomg
While Water is a natural resource, it doesn’t naturally get to your taps.
Correct Noel, that’s why I’ve been paying for mine through my taxes all these years
Correct Keith Ryan we pay multiple times for our water ..
In fact we pay 1.7+ Billion per year average and that includes people with their own private wells … they pay for water through general taxation as well even tho some of them dont know that ,…
Billions wasted over the years and we still dont have decent clean water in this state..
Billions mismanaged by councils and govt officials for decades …
And they think we will pay this private scam to fund the gamblers …
Not happening EVER
No that would be dishonest because I didn’t register with IW, and never will either. Can pay, won’t pay again, I already do. So shove the lousy 100 euro where the sun don’t shine.
I will never pay thus voluntarily. And will never vote for Fg, FF or Labour. Funny how so many complain but will still vote for the same old cronies. History will repeat itself again and again. This nation is all talk, no action.
The action you speak of does not involve a Marxist party such as Sinn Fein that would take us back to the stone age.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Didn’t apply for it, haven’t paid Irish Water bills, stopped them installing a water meter.
You da man Robin. A hero to Entitlement Ireland.
Why pay again?
I already pay through VAT & Tax…etc
In my book a hero to Entitlement would be…lets say…someone who asks for “loads of money” for pulling a few strings or maybe someone who prints 73000 calendars and expects the tax payer to pick up the tab.
I could go on & on & on but there is still half a bottle of cooking sherry waiting for me.
Good Republicans don’t pay.
Hey MK76 couple of quotes for ya…can ya guess who said them.
“We are all equally entitled to call ourselves republican”
“I’m a republican, almost every citizen of this state is a constitutional republican and I deplore the name republican being abused by people who are involved in paramilitarism, crime, murder, extortion and racketeering,”
Here is a quick clue for ya…Joan Burton.
Listen fella enjoy the rest of the festive season, can’t wait to catch up with ya in the New Year best wishes.
So Joan Burton gave a completely different definition of a Republican and by doing so chastised SF for their deplorable view of the world, but yet you feel you’ve won some sort of victory?
Ata boy. Just showing yourself and your fellow “good republicans” up for what they are.
TTIP states in its 700 page document that each countries postal, health board and water services are going to be privatised, the 100 euro grant was to get all the people on the books before they privatise it.
The TiSA Agreement shows what else is up for privatisation “The Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) is a proposed international trade treaty between 23 Parties, including the European Union and the United States. The agreement aims at liberalizing the worldwide trade of services such as banking, health care and transport.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trade_in_Services_Agreement
Look at Eircode…
Haven’t applied as I can’t be bribed. The media suggesting fg are on 30% in polls suggests that 70% of us want something different. Remember a vote for lab is a vote for the fg manifest, dont get fooled twice.
€100 bribe. Fu(k right off with another bankers tax.
Once is enough to pay for anything .Bring on the ballot box as we need to get rid of some Traitors.
So there are without doubt 400,000 no payers. Good. Truth at last
How did you come to that conclusion ? I’m sure there are many like me who paid and couldn’t claim because my letter got “lost in the post” and after multiple phone calls, and countless lost time on hold, I gave up.
Exactly the same here.. After 10+ calls and hours wasted on hold I just gave up.
How do you not know if you applied for something or not? The “don’t know” option is gas on certain polls.
But sure why have the poll at all? 400,000 of 2.6 million have not applied as stated in the article. Nonsense poll yet again , unless the figure of how many of the journal.ie readers who clicked on a particular water poll article and partaken is of use to anyone.
2.6 million homes in Ireland ?? 1’5 when property tax was counted or have the mail recognised the 32 counties ?? Anything for a grabline I suppose ??
Official, and in particular Irish Water, are not to be trusted.
Fine Gael will lose the next election because of Irish Water.
Mark my words.
I wish with all my being that you are right but unfortunately there are more idiots and sheeple in this country. One thing is for sure I will not be voting for them.
Good girl Deborah. But if we want to make sure that we get rid of this bunch of corrupt vermin we need a big push from the young people, similar to what we had for the marriage equality referendum.
We should be encouraging people who are abroad to come home to vote, we can do it but we’ll have to work for it.
All taxation is ultimately by consent. There is no consent for regressive taxes like LPT, Water Tax and Irish (obscene) Car Tax, where the wealthy are subsidised by those who cant afford new cars and have to pay the high car tax – disgusting place to live. Regressive taxes fail to take account of inability to pay and will ultimately (watch the Polling Booths) fail for this reason.
Anto – you won’t be getting your money back & you don’t deserve to either. Those that have paid will in return get nothing other than a faulty meter & no improvement to their water quality or service. If this quango remains in place – expect very expensive bills in a few years & nothing else. It’s only the Danes, Denitos & MK’s who cheerlead corrupt ineptitude on this forum – if those chaps think Irish water is a good idea – you know it’s not. Looking forward to the demonstration on the 23rd. Don’t pay – do not vote this corrupt useless government back & Irish water will be history.
Unlike councilors and T.Ds i do not take bribes .i wont be threatened by demands to pay or false posts that revenue will take it from my wages . Water was never free we paid through road tax ,v.a.t. and continue to pay it with property tax ,pension fund . I stopped a meter going in at my house , I wont pay a fifth time for a service any politician or party that agrees with water charges will not get a vote from me .
I live in a rural area so I haven’t been getting my water and sewage services for free. This was the first bit of financial assistance that I ever got to pay for my water so I grabbed it with both hands.
Nobody have been getting their water for free, though.
Who gets their water for free? On a side note, I’m sure some of my tax is going to maintain the rural roads you travel on, which me and the vast majority of the population will never use.
And I’ll never use, for example, the facilities in most educational institutes. Your point is?
Beachmaster obviously never leaves the beach.
Your choice to live in a rural area. If you didn’t want to have to pay for a well and septic tank you shouldn’t have. Don’t blame anyone else for your choice and the cost that comes with it.
You obviously have shit td’s where you live. Vote someone different next time and get the universal service like the rest of the country. The next thing they’ll get your area to pay for a group postal scheme.
I do not accept bribes like the half of the population.I take nothing from the state. The state will take nothing from me.
How do you survive when you don’t claim social services and you don’t have a job?
You take plenty from the state you eejit
“Nothing from the state…”- what? No children’s allowance? Never use roads? Never use street lights? Education at home? Etc…
Well done Michael. About the intelligence level you expect from Entitlement Ireland.
Em why is it the so called ” right wing ” in Ireland have a problem when people complain on goverment interference.
I pay a hell of a lot of taxes as a single working young male with out taking from the gov. The rest of ye are on welfare
Please don’t make assumptions about who is, or isn’t, on welfare.
@george salter you were to one that assumed I was claiming children allowance(biggest fraud of the state) street lighting (which I pay pso) education (which i payed for) etc. I am saying is we have a vicious gov who are hounding the productive of society
Nothing more boring than seeing a child going on with his repetitive ‘Entitlement Ireland’ crap.
No, I gave examples of the sort of things that people use. The PSO doesn’t pay for lighting, incidentally. I also am assuming, maybe incorrectly if you are an immigrant, that you benefited from children’s allowance. Unless you paid something on excess of €25k per annum, secondary and third level, then your education was heavily subsidised. You didn’t respond on the roads bit either…
I pay a lot of tax at top rate so I expect some services in return. But what services do I get. No bin collection, we pay to get a guy to cut council owned greens in estate. Pay road tax etc. So what exactly do I get for my taxes? Now after years of incompetence running water services into the ground politicians want me to pay to sort out that as well?? Supporters of FG and LAB, which I once was, are saying let’s pay more to these idiots to patch up problems caused by their stupidity and lack of any idea how to run the simplest of systems. So whats next for us to pay for that these morons bugger up? How stupid to keep paying for someone else’s incompetence? They know that there are enough idiots around to keeping coughing up more money for every thing these simpletons make a message of ..
John
If you pay that much top tax then voting for anybody orher than FG would be madness from your prospective……have you saw SF policies for people like you.
You’re paying some guy to cut the council owned green areas? Why is that, has the estate actually been taken over?
Voting indepndents only. I do not trust any political party anymore. All have a whip to make them vote like a herd of mindless sheep. I want a Dail that debates issues meaningfully and selects what’s best for the people not for “De Party” and themselves. I also despise liars which all Irish political parties are. They are parasites pure and simple.
Yes twenty years ago. Concil in Kildare DG o not cut grass in Celbridge. There is a council grant to the residents association which doesn’t cover half the cost. We are maintain someone else’s property…
I prefer to observe peoples actions rather than their promises and boy has noonan really screwed people in the last 5 years
The old chestnut releasing a story when people are otherwise occupied.
I’ve always paid for my own water and in my taxes I’m apparently contributing to that “free” water that many others enjoy. I didn’t take the money because I don’t acknowledge IW rights over my own supply. I bet in a few years they will want me to pay them for my own water.
Give all votes to R2C candidates. It’s time for change.
shinners and independent s for next election.
I need to ask I haven’t been paying my bill my landlord just registered me he never said anything to me and bills started coming in my name I’ve had three already
Same.
I have never engaged with this outfit, nor will I.
The days of ruling by fooling are OVER.
We all have a #right2change this and a #right2water that we ALREADY pay for.
Just because Phil Hogan stole the local government fund and gave it to money men in suits is NOT going to be my problem. Irish Water is a farce, set up for privatisation and the cronies in Fine Gael and Labour, just like the Fianna Fáil gangsters are hell bent on screwing ordinary people to feather their own nests.
Since 1922, these men in suits have been playing musical chairs with “power” and they and their friends have been the only winners.
This general election offers us all a once in a lifetime chance to CHANGE things and elect a people focused, progressive and fair government that will act in the interests of ALL citizens.
See http://www.right2change.ie/policy-principles-progressive-irish-government for all the detail and vote accordingly.
Happy New Year!
Strong support for FG in the poles?… Spin lads.
Remember the government here are sending their people to the uk to talk tactics with the conservatives on how to win the irish election.
The consensus among people I know is.. the only way they can get power now is to Fix the election.
Don’t know how… But be prepared.
How can 3% say I don’t know??? Either u did or u didn’t it’s dat simple
Have been paying for water in rural areas for years and years through group water schemes if I didn’t apply for the grant i would be crazy
Did I fup,
why would you apply if you’ve no intention of giving IW any credibility to continue the privatisation agenda?
Irish Water didn’t give out €100. The department of Social Protection gave out the €100 to households.
It was called the “Water Conservation Grant”. The word “Water” confused people and made them think it had something to do with Irish Water.
Now I remember. Its still to ensure IW progress through this utter mess. People shouldnt apply.
Wrong. You needed an Irish water account number to apply for the grant
I got mine months ago.
This from October:
They show that a total of 830,000 households are now paying their water charges, a spokesperson for Irish Water said. This represents 55% of the total customer base.
So now there are 2.6 million homes in Ireland? IW and FG/Lab, liars all the way.
Well spotted Ciaran. There are only 1.6 million homes.
DOB……SITESERVE….Lest we forget ?????????????
It’ll take more than €100 to feed the darkie. I want loads of sterling.
Got it a long time ago and paid the bill
Yep – I took the 100. It will be offset against all the other rip-offs Kenny and his traitors inflicted upon us, and I have no qualms about it. Why not? – - I am owed it.
Won’t be paying IW for water though – I already pay.
245 people dont know if they applied? How did they get out of bed this morning.
Jaysus
Make a mess of….
Water is not a commodity so don’t let them crooks turn it into one
Its treats itself does it?
No, Its paid for through general taxation and a percentage of Motor tax, The treatment was always paid for.
Its more equitable and fairer to tax the water depending on how much you use instead of from general taxation. Many households pay tax and didn’t have free water from a council. Its well within the right of the government to introduce the charge, its implementation was bad, but the principal is right.
Read the 1997 Finance Act where 2% was added to VAT and 5% added to motor tax to pay for water. If you wish to pay twice please feel free.
SYWMUYA!
I paid and I registered. If it’s repealed by the next government then I expect my money back. If they don’t intend to the I expect the AAA and the anti water charge brigade to campaign ferociously to get my money and the other million plus people’s money back, cause if they didn’t they would be total hypocrites.
So basically you’re a coward. Let others do the heavy lifting, take the punishment but if successful, you want the benefit.
Beachmaster I know there’s a lot of protesters coming on here and giving out about the charge whereas they have registered and paid all the bills and are not up front saying one thing and doing the opposite I had the same problem when representing my fellow work mates in the Union . You can never know who is paying and who`s not.
How am I a coward to expect equal treatment from elected politicians? Your argument is juvenile at best. Do you also blame the majority of voters for electing the current government that implemented the charges and call them cowards? And I suppose the people who trapped people who are only doing their jobs in a car heroes? And the people who assault IW workers heroes too? Get over yourself
What he means Anto is you go with the flow…….you don’t stand up for anything and if an the elected politicians decided to take your home……you’d roll over.
Yes I have and paid the three bills so far.
Water protestors should be ashamed of themselves.
Not a irish water customer and don’t Intend to be one
Register for your own money. If these parasites get re-elected, you can expect worse to come. Look at the state of the country with everything taxed or given away by corrupt politicans.
How can 270 people not know if they applied or not ? Just proves NO poll can be believed !
Louisr
No, I don’t accept bribes.
Listen, you can sulk all you like but at the end of the day everyone will pay the water tax just like the property tax.
@Mc F Kevin the “entitlement ireland” thing come off the stage are you justifying that 100€ “cash back” that will end up benefitting a future private company socail justice?
Their are many people in Ireland that need that cash to help themselves. Then the poor middle class!
Two elderly relatives in nursing homes under fair deal scheme. Have to pay the water charges but they are not eligible for €100 water , conservation, rebate, grant or what ever election gimmick it was called
Never received a bill, I got text messages telling me bills were overdue but as I didn’t get any bills I didn’t get account details and therefore couldn’t apply for the grant. Strange how they got my mobile phone number but still couldn’t send a bill to the correct address.
Not entitled to it..
I applied then was told I did not qualify. I even paid my annual bill upfront. Still nothing. Feels like a slap in the face by a company that is not ready to move forward. #IrishWater #NotPleased
Well can you tell me where I pay for street lighting? No because all that money goes back to the exchequer because our system is not transparent.
I don’t know if my own mother got CB or not. But it’s wrong! Plain wrong. My third level education came out of MY pocket. Road tax I don’t drive an Irish registered veichele.
Yes
have your say