As speculation mounts about the date for the upcoming general election in the Twenty-Six Counties, Éirígí For a New Republic has called for the rapid holding of a constitutional referendum to enshrine the public ownership of water resources and services.
Éirígí For A New Republic was among the first political parties to actively organise against the most recent effort by the political establishment to introduce a Water Tax. From 2012 onward Éirígí called for a three-pronged strategy of mass protest, peaceful direct action and boycott to defeat the tax.
The video below was produced by Éirígí in February 2013, a full year before the first water meter installations were blocked. Over 120,000 people have viewed the video since it was uploaded.
Speaking about the need for a water referendum Cathaoirleach Éirígí Brian Leeson said,
“A small number of individuals and corporations already have beneficial control of Ireland’s mineral, hydrocarbon, agricultural, fisheries, wind and other natural resources. The wealth generated from the exploitation of these natural resources is being channeled to these individuals and corporations instead of the public purse.
Éirígí’s vision for a New Republic would see all of Ireland’s natural resources developed and managed in an environmentally sustainable way for the common good. The wealth accruing from our natural resources would be used to fund housing, healthcare, education, transport and other essential public services.
In the short term we need a water referendum as soon as possible to protect one of our most precious resources from future privatisation. There is a real danger that our water resources and services will be sold off in the aftermath of the next capitalist crash - a danger that is made all the more real by the astronomical levels of public debt that Fine Gael, Fianna Fail, Labour and the The Green Party have built up since the last crash.
Brian Leeson taking a stand with fellow citizens against the Water Tax in Ballinteer.
While Fine Gael have nominally committed to holding a referendum it is clear that they are now trying to run down the clock to the next general election without holding one.
Éirígí is calling for a referendum on the public ownership of water resources and services within the life-span of this current government, or failing that, we need all political parties to commit to holding a water referendum within the first twelve months of a new government being formed.”