A Bill has been moved in the Dáil, which if passed, would ensure the water service is not privatised.

Sinn Féin spokesperson on the Environment, Brian Stanley TD, who moved the Bill, said he was told that such an amendment was not required and was given verbal undertakings that there would be no privatisation of Irish Water.

Deputy Stanley said: "We propose to amend Article 40 to insert a new section which reads: 'The state recognises the right of all persons to sufficient, safe and accessible water and as guardian of the common good shall defend and vindicate this right and ensure that water services and infrastructure remain in public ownership'.

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"We chose to amend this article rather than Article 10, which was another option, as we think that the recognition of access to water as a right is much more fundamental than any economic argument.

"That is central to the global debate on water which has only in recent decades become a target for corporate adventurers seeking to control what even the most conservative governments have traditionally recognised as a public good, and one which ought where possible be provided to people free of charge."

(CD/JP)