Date sought for referendum on public ownership of water servicesSIPTU representatives have called on the Government to set a date for a referendum on the public ownership of water services to ensure against any future privatisation of the national utility. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Brendan O’Brien, said: “It is the long established position of SIPTU that a referendum must be held in order to provide a constitutional guarantee that water services will remain in public ownership into the future. “SIPTU along with the other unions that organise public water services workers have held lengthy negotiations with officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, on this issue. “In this document, the Government has given a commitment that it will bring forward the proposed wording of a referendum on the public ownership of water services later this year or in early 2023. He added: “At the meeting, SIPTU representatives announced the launch of a nationwide campaign which will call on all political parties and elected representatives to provide unequivocal commitments concerning the holding of a referendum to ensure the public ownership of water services.”

Source: Irish Independent September 03, 2022 21:03 UTC