A national demonstration concerning the future of the public water supply has been called for Saturday, 29th August, at 2.00 p.m. The assembly points are Heuston Station and Connolly Station, Dublin. Participants will then march to O’Connell Street. Apart from the issue of water charges, it is understood that this protest will highlight the call for a referendum to amend the Constitution to prohibit the future privatisation of the public water supply and also to voice general opposition to austerity.We in SIPTU have continuously opposed the one-sided austerity agenda and our policy on the public water supply is that: There should be a referendum to amend the Constitution to prohibit the future privatisation of the public water supply. Irish Water should be re-designated as a non-commercial, not for profit, State Company. The work entailed in the provision of the public water supply should be carried out by workers employed on collectively bargained and agreed terms of employment in Irish Water and in the Local Authorities in accordance with current arrangements. All householders should be provided with the amount of water they require to meet their normal domestic needs, at no cost, with a tariff thereafter on waste, as a conservation measure. Accordingly, we encourage members to participate in this protest, of their own volition, if they are free and available to do so.We believe that every peacefully conducted protest and democratic action has the potential to help further the demands for an adequate supply of water to meet the normal domestic needs of every household, at no direct cost, and a referendum to change the Constitution to prohibit the privatisation of the public water supply. Statement issued by SIPTU General President, Jack O'Connor, SIPTU Vice-President, Gene Mealy and SIPTU General Secretary, Joe O'Flynn.
National Demonstration on the public water supply
