The Water Services Group of Unions has written to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, requesting an urgent meeting in relation to the long-standing Government commitment to hold a referendum on providing a constitutional protection for the public ownership of water services.
SIPTU Public Administration and Community Divisional Organiser, Brendan O’Brien, said: “The previous incarnation of this Government on a number of occasions provided a cast-iron commitment to trade unions that it would hold a referendum on the ownership of water services. Our members will not allow them to just walk away from that.
“Our members demand the Government name the date for this referendum. The commitment to a water referendum was demanded by, and provided to, our members during the water services transformation talks that have taken place over recent years. The former Minister with responsibility for this area, Darragh O’Brien, is on record repeatedly stating that the commitment to hold a referendum would be honoured. He failed to deliver.
“Every day that passes without a date for a referendum on the ownership of public water services erodes one of the key pillars of the agreement made with water services trade unions, which has underpinned the ongoing transformation of this essential public utility.”
He added: “We want to sit down with the Minister and hear his plans on how he will deliver where the previous Minister fell short. The Government must honour the agreements made with our members to hold a referendum on the public ownership of water services and name the date on which this vote will take place.”
The Water Services Group of Unions includes SIPTU, Fórsa, Unite and Connect.