Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

I strongly support the call for a referendum to be held on keeping water services public. There are 3,000 water workers in this State. The feeling runs strong among them that a date must be set for a referendum. I welcome that the four trade unions with membership among the water workers are now campaigning for a date for the referendum to be named in respect of keeping water services public.

I also make the point that it would be important that a date for a referendum be set before the end of this year, because 1 January 2023 is the date for the transfer of water assets from the local authorities to Irish Water-Uisce Éireann and for local authority water workers to transfer over to that organisation as well. A large body of rank-and-file water workers are of the opinion that there is not going to be a successful transfer on 1 January 2023 unless a referendum date has been named by then.

Pressure and sentiment are building on that issue.

Reports were published in the press some weeks ago saying that the Minister intends to bring a proposal to Cabinet early in the new year in this regard. The Tánaiste has been directly quoted as saying that he is not convinced of the need for such a referendum. I have heard bits and pieces from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Deputies on this issue. I have heard less from Green Party Deputies. I would be interested to know what is the position of the Green Party and its Deputies on this issue, if the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, would care to tell the House and to inform the public. Either way, pressure will only grow on this issue.

It is important that a date be named before the year's end.

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