The Keep Water Public Campaign called on the Government to hold a vote on the public ownership of water services, alongside the gender equality referendum in November 2023, at a protest today (Wednesday, 22nd March) outside Leinster House in Dublin. Speaking at the protest, SIPTU Public Administration and Community Division Organiser, Karan O Loughlin, said: “We are calling on the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, to live up to the commitments his government has made by setting a date for a referendum to protect the public ownership of water services. This is crucially important for the people of Ireland. We do not want to see water delivered for profit, we want it delivered for the common good.” Fórsa Assistant General Secretary, Catherine Keogh, said: “Water is a fundamental right and we are here to protect it for all Irish citizens. We are calling on the Government to keep its promise and let the people have a say on the public ownership of water services in a constitutional referendum.” Local Authority water services worker and SIPTU activist, John Long, said: “We are protesting today to keep water services in public ownership. The Government has said it will hold a referendum on this issue and now we need it to live up to its commitment.” The protest was held on World Water Day, a United Nations observance day held on 22nd March each year, which aims to increase awareness of water-related issues and encourage people to take action to support positive change in this area. The Keep Water Public campaign is calling on the Government to confirm a date for a constitutional referendum on the public ownership of water services. The campaign is supported by SIPTU, Fórsa, Unite, Connect and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
Keep Water Public protest calls for referendum on water services in November
