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Inishowen TD calls for water vote
20.11.14
INISHOWEN T.D., Pádraig
MacLochlainn has called for a referendum to ensure
the Irish water service remains in public ownership.
He was speaking during a second stage debate on a
Sinn Féin Bill, which if passed, would initiate a
referendum proposing to amend the Constitution in
order to retain the water services in public
ownership.
The Government yesterday attempted to assuage the
nation in relation to the controversial domestic
water rates by announcing changes to the pricing
structure.
Minister for the Environment Alan Kelly told the
Dáil the water charges would be €60 for households
with one adult and €160 for all others, when a €100
allowance is deducted. |
He said the rates would
be considered "fair" by the majority of people,
adding that they would remain in place until early
2019.
Meanwhile, Deputy MacLochlainn called for a public
vote on privatisation and the abolition of the
charges.
“Sinn Féin is seeking to ensure that the water
service will not be privatised.
“We propose to amend Article 40 to insert a new
section which would ensure that the State would
recognise safe water as a fundamental right and that
water services would remain in public ownership," he
said. |
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Deputy Pádraig MacLochlainn. |
“Water is a right for
all our citizens. Water charges being implemented by
this Government are unnecessary, unjust and will
cause huge hardship to families and communities who
have already been devastated by the Government’s
relentless pursuit of the austerity agenda.
“Water charges must be abolished and it is of vital
importance that a referendum be called to protect
the public ownership of water.” |
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