Irish Minister for the Environment Alan Keely might hold a referendum to make sure that Irish water stays in public ownership.  The Irish government is mired in conroversy over the furute ownership of Irish water.

Water is plentiful in Ireland, but the Irish use about as much water as Americans do. A lot.  102 gallons per person each year.  Pipes have to be repaired.  Someone has to pay.  The people are baulking.  In difficult economic times in the country, free water has become a campaign cry.  The International Monetary Fund is insisting that the problem be taken care of iif Ireland is to receive funds.

Primary responsibility for that transformation falls to Irish Water, a new enterprise that consolidates the water services provided by 34 local authorities. Headquartered in Dublin, but with eight regional offices, Irish Water will work to fill a backlog of investment needs – including leak repair – that has resulted from more than a century of underinvestment in water services.

The House voted to accept a Fianna Fáil motion which stated: “That Seanad Éireann requests the Government to initiate legislation to provide for a constitutional referendum to enshrine the ownership of Irish Water to the Irish people in perpetuity.”  The Seanad was ladjourned for 15 minutes after Opposition Senators protested that they did not have enough time to debate water charges.

When Cathaoirleach Paddy Burke called on Mr Kelly to respond to the debate, Independent Senator Fidelma Healy-Eames complained that she did not get an opportunity to speak.  Fianna Fáil Seantor Brian Ó Domhnaill said the Government did not want to hear what the people were saying.

Meanwhile in the Dáil Mr Kenny said he agreed with Tánaiste Joan Burton that water charges should be affordable and fair.