The local elections campaign began in earnest in the Dáil yesterday. The dominant issue was water charges, which has, in the past, been a central feature of hard-fought electoral battles.
The Opposition looked pleased. After all, they have an issue that affects every household in the country. Mind you, Taoiseach Enda Kenny looked relaxed.
Perhaps the euphoria from last week's visit by President Higgins to Britain has not worn off.
It will, in time, as polling day, May 23rd, draws nearer.
Launching his party's Dáil campaign, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin referred to a report that householders would be asked for a basic water charge of up to €100 before the metering bills dropped through their letter boxes. It was all more about collecting money than the water conservation, he added.
Kenny, with the demeanour of a man who might have been asked about yesterday’s fine weather, insisted that the Government had made no decisions on charges yet.
“It will do so shortly,” he added.
“As I have said previously, this information will be published before the local elections.”
Independent TD Finian McGrath spoke for the Opposition. “The councillors will love that.”
Kenny said some of the media reports about a fixed charge might be based on a draft memo from Irish Water. There was a process to be gone through and the matter would be considered carefully, he added.
Martin said the Government's strategy was to keep people in the dark. "The deputy was an expert on that," responded Fine Gael's Ray Butler.
Patricia wants to know
The Fianna Fáil leader recalled the Taoiseach's remark, often quoted by the Opposition these days, that Paddy wanted to know what was going on. Presumably Patricia is also curious in the run-up to the local elections.
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams claimed it was all a plot to introduce the privatisation of Irish Water.
Kenny answered four questions in rapid succession, indicating again that no decision on charges had been made and that there were no privatisation plans. Then he sat down abruptly.
Fianna Fáil's Barry Cowen wondered if the Taoiseach might deal with the issue some day.
Fine Gael's Patrick O'Donovan suggested Cowen ask his brother, former taoiseach Brian Cowen.
“Has the deputy any brothers?” replied Barry Cowen.
Later, on the Order of Business, Kerry Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae warned the Taoiseach that people were angry with Kenny “and your candidates” for the rumoured €100 water charge.
But, said Healy-Rae, the Taoiseach, a frequent visitor to the county, was always welcome in Kerry.
The Taoiseach recalled his last visit to the Healy-Rae stronghold. “I saw your van outside Kilgarvan, sideways off the road,” he said.
Tipperary Independent Mattie McGrath decided to approach Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett in a spirit of goodwill, given that he had often been reprimanded by Barrett for breaching the House's standing orders.
Don't count your eggs
"Happy Easter," said McGrath. "Thank you very much," replied Barrett. "And a very happy Easter . . . if you stay within standing orders."
That level of bonhomie will not last. The elections are important to all parties and Independents.
Yesterday’s skirmish will become a full-blown war after Easter, with water charges continuing to figure prominently in a bitter campaign.
