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

For the third week in a row, I raise the issue of water in Cork city. The privatisation of water has proved disastrous in the UK. Creeping privatisation is proving disastrous here now.

When Cork City Council was responsible for supplying water to households, the water, as a general rule, was clean and safe. When Uisce Éireann took over and hired a private company to design, build and operate the new Lee Road waterworks, things began to go wrong. Some €40 million later, the water is dirty and discoloured thanks to a mistake made on the watch of Uisce Éireann and that private company. Creeping privatisation of the service is proving a disaster for the people of Cork. Will the Taoiseach organise a referendum to keep our water in public ownership or will he keep the door open for further privatisation and a move towards to the UK model?

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