Debate contribution: Northern Ireland Water: Funding Plan

Debate contribution by Mr Matthew O'Toole on 25 November 2025.

MLA: Mr Matthew O'Toole
Party at the time: Social Democratic and Labour Party
Date: 25 November 2025
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Northern Ireland Water: Funding Plan
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5258982

Text

Minister, to be absolutely clear, I have never advocated for water charges. That is a weird deflection from the fact that you and your party are doing nothing. In Dáil Éireann, Mary Lou McDonald said that the Irish Government are "a do-nothing Government". My God, it takes one to know one. Your plan is no plan at all. Social houses cannot be built, jobs cannot be created, factories cannot be built and our natural resources — Lough Neagh and Belfast lough — are falling into degradation because you will do nothing about the funding of NI Water. Is there any plan at all, or are you content to literally do nothing?

111 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Part of an exchange

This follow-up belongs to: Topical question AQT 1821/22-27.

Assessment

Not analysed

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