Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We propose a straightforward amendment to the Constitution that would require a decision of the people by referendum. It would read, "The State recognises the right of all persons to sufficient, safe and accessible water and as guardian of the common good shall defend and vindicate this right and ensure that water services and infrastructure remain in public ownership." Some would say that such an amendment should not be necessary. Unfortunately, the fiasco that has been Uisce Éireann, and the pro-privatisation outlook of the Government, means we can be sure of nothing.

Clean, safe drinking water is a fundamental right. We in Sinn Féin believe all public water supplies should be paid for by fair and progressive general taxation. It is vital that our water services remain in public ownership. We have been accused of not being able to lay out how we would provide water without these charges but we need only look at our track record. Sinn Féin has blocked the introduction of domestic water charges in the North. Uisce Éireann's now sweetened water tax - or water tax light - represents a foot in the door, a way to ensure that people sign up. Once it has that foot across the threshold, it will not be long before it steps boldly inside their houses.

As we have seen before, these charges will also go up and up. The fact that the Government has made some concessions shows that they can be reversed. We now need to go further and ensure that the charges are abolished altogether. We call for a referendum to be held on the issue of the ownership of our public water services. Such a referendum would provide the necessary concrete reassurance to citizens that our water services will be protected and maintained in public ownership.

Labhair an Taoiseach cheana ar uisce faoi thalamh. An t-aon uisce faoi thalamh atá i gceist ná ceann i gcoinne an ghnáth Éireannaigh. Is linne an t-uisce, d'íocamar as cheana, ní féidir linn aon bhaol a bheith ann go mbeadh comhlachtaí príobháideacha á úsáid ar mhaithe leis an mbrabús.

Fine Gael tells us that water "doesn’t just fall out of the sky". Fortunately, we did not come down with the last shower. We recognise that water has to be purified, stored and delivered to the public. It would have been more prudent of this Government and former Governments to invest in the infrastructure to ensure that water that has been treated at great expense does not simply leak away. We cannot trust the pro-privatisation agenda of Fine Gael or its newfound friends in Labour in respect of an important resource. We know that Fianna Fáil also supported introducing water charges. It originally agreed with the troika to introduce them.

There has been also an attempt to de-legitimise and vilify those who have protested against the water charges. The peaceful protesters are to be commended. Sinn Féin has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with trade unionists and other progressives in the Right2Water campaign. We are proud that this campaign has been able to mobilise some 150,000 people on to the streets. The establishment parties have decided to ignore the fact that the vast majority of the protestors have been peaceful. Most people see Government commentary of recent days as an ill-disguised attempt to frighten people away from exercising their right to protest. Let us make no mistake. We are calling for the largest possible mobilisation on 10 December to demonstrate the people's continued widespread opposition to water charges. We want it to be a dignified and peaceful mobilisation - one that will deliver a clear message to this Government.

Before concluding my contribution, I want to pose an unanswered question to the Minister of State and his colleagues in Government. What about the very many people who have to use increased amounts of water directly related to medical conditions they or family members suffer from? As Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on health, I am disappointed that there is, as yet, no clarification on the issue of subsidised or exempt bills for those with certain medical conditions. Is it true that this list will not issue until 2017, as has been reported? The increased burden of bathing and washing of clothes can be very onerous in itself not to mention adding the stress of very expensive water charges.

I ask the Minister of State again to look favourably on our proposed amendment to the Constitution contained in the Bill presented by Deputy Stanley - An Bille um an gCeathrú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Uimh. 3), 2014. The Irish people cannot accept the water tax because we are already paying for our water supply. The Irish people cannot accept the water tax because it will go in part to fund an unaccountable and clearly extravagant organisation. The Irish people cannot accept the water tax as it is anything but what the Government describes it as. It is yet another austerity tax necessitated by Fianna Fáil and brought into being by Fine Gael and Labour. I call on every Teachta Dála regardless of their party or political outlook to do the right thing and support this legislation which guarantees the Irish people a say in the future of water services in our country. Molaim an rún.

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