Today, Friday 22nd March is World Water Day. This World Water Day, Fórsa is calling on Minister Darragh O’Brien to #NameTheDate and hold the referendum on the public ownership of water services alongside the United Patents Court referendum on Friday 7th June. Whilst the Minister has long confirmed the intention to run the water referendum, a date has not yet been secured.

Fórsa, Siptu, Unite, Connect and ICTU jointly wrote to parliamentary party leaders yesterday (Thursday 21st March), seeking for the Minister and An Taoiseach to "honour their promises to the Irish people" and for the Government to put the water referendum to the country at the earliest opportunity. 

"If the referendum on the United Patents Court takes place in June 2024, we are firmly of the view that the referendum to forever enshrine the public ownership of water into the constitution should occur at the same time," they said. 
  
Head of Fórsa’s Local Government and Local Services and Municipal Employees’ Divisions Richy Carrothers called on members to get behind the Keep Water Public campaign, especially on World Water Day, and urge the Minister to set the referendum date.  

He said that a referendum would help protect Irish water services from any future attempt at privatisation by providing a constitutional guarantee of public ownership.

“World Water Day is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis. Privatised water services result in higher costs and poorer services for the public. Public ownership of water services ensures safe and sustainable access to water for everyone. The time is now, it’s critical that Government lives up to its commitment and set Friday 7th June as the date for the referendum to keep water public,” he said.

Fórsa has repeatedly expressed its disappointment at Government’s failure to act on its promise to stage a referendum on water ownership, and has encouraged members to get behind the campaign by signing this petition.

“World Water Day 2024 is about working together to balance everyone’s needs, with a dedication to ensure no one is left behind, to make water a catalyst for a more peaceful world. The #NameTheDate campaign calls for just that, and I’m confident that Fórsa members will seize the opportunity to back this grassroots campaign and get this message across to the Government parties,” said Richy.

You can sign the petition here and view the letter to parliamentary party leaders here. 
 

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