COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, December 08, 2014

MOTION NO. 28

MOTION: Councillor P. Gogarty

That this Council, given the on going confusion and public anger over the rollout of Irish Water - and recognising the limits of representative democracy in this instance - calls on the Government to organise a referendum on all aspects of water provision to allow the public have a direct say in how water services are paid for and managed and how water conservation can be encouraged, which would facilitate an open and honest debate about the cost of water and related services, the state of the public finances and the advantages and disadvantages of broadening the tax base as a means to help avoid the mistakes of the past being repeated. Such a referendum should give the people a number of choices such as whether water charges should be implemented or not; whether measures to solely encourage conservation, with a generous free allowance, would be a better option; and also give clarity as to whether any privatisation of Irish water services should be permitted by allowing the people to adjudicate on the matter. Such a referendum could also be linked in with other related public health issues that require input and debate, such as the merits of continuing with water fluoridation.

REPORT:

If the motion is passed the terms of the motion will be forwarded to An Taoiseach, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, and Irish Water.