A constitutional referendum to block future privatization of water services

A call has been made for a constitutional referendum to block future privatization of water services. Independent Councillor Declan Bree said, “while the government has been stopped from imposing water charges, we cannot be complacent. The establishment parties have voted to retain Irish Water and to continue installing meters in new houses. This clearly leaves the door open for any future government to introduce charges and privatize our water resources. In this context there is now a need for an early referendum to insert into the Constitution an amendment which would rule out any future privatization of water, or water services.” [Sligo Champion, 25 April 2017]