Impasses Between FG And FF Preventing Dáil From Dealing With Serious Issues

The current impasse between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil on water charges is unnecessary and is preventing the Dáil from dealing with serious issues such as health, housing and crime, Sinn Féin's David Cullinane has said.

Deputy Cullinane said the issue of water charges could be dealt with today if the two parties would allow that water charges motion signed by 39 TDs to be debated and voted on.

Speaking on Tuesday the Waterford TD said: "Last night we had two fatal shootings in Dublin but the issue will not be discussed in any meaningful way in the Dáil today.

"Last week a man was released from prison on the basis of a High Court ruling on suspended sentences that could have been sorted with amending legislation but the Dáil was prevented from dealing with the issue.

"Today we have the news that public patients wait up to 25 times longer than private patients for cancer tests. This cannot be dealt with while we wait for Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil to sort their differences on water.

"The reality is that water charges could be dealt with today if Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil would just allow the water charges motion signed by 39 TDs to be debated and voted on.

"Those two parties could then get back to the negotiating table safe in the knowledge that the issue of water charges has been handled in the most democratic fashion by vote of the Dáil.

"We cannot continue with a situation that is preventing the Dáil from dealing with matters that have a serious impact on the lives of the very people it is meant to serve.

"Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil need to bring their negotiations to a conclusion one way or another. This situation cannot be allowed to continue."

(MH/LM)