BY NOW YOU’RE probably sick of the water charges debate irrespective of whether you intend to pay or not.

Politicians have spent A LOT of time talking about water charges in Leinster House this week and as the Seanad debated the Water Services Bill this evening, independent Seán Barrett was struggling to keep his eyes open.

Earlier, the Trinity economist had delivered a sharp rebuke of Irish Water and called for the whole water charges process to be scrapped and started again in a speech which earned him a ‘bravo’ from David Norris.

But as Reform Alliance senator Fidelma Healy Eames was speaking on the bill, Barrett was struggling to keep his eyes open as the full six minutes of this video shows:

To be fair, the senator had spent four hours at the equally dull banking inquiry, of which he is a member, this morning where deputies and senators were quizzing former Canadian deputy finance minister Rob Wright.

The debate on water continues in the Seanad this evening and tomorrow.

Indications are that despite being in the minority the government will be able to get the Water Services Bill through the upper house with the support of some independent senators.

State of the Nation: Will the Seanad reject water charges?

‘Sickened by the threats’: Will Senators reject water charges?