Sinn Féin has hit out at the government over plans to protect water services from privatisation.

Dublin Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan said access to water services is a "human right" and claims water services could be liberalised due to trade deals.

Ms. Boylan said: "The government must make moves to enshrine the right to water in our constitution.

"I heard many nightmare privatisation stories from cities and countries across Europe while conducting research on the Boylan Right2water report for the European Parliament.

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"Despite the EU Commission insisting water management is a matter for the member states we have seen it continually push its privatisation agenda, most recently in Greece.

"If Labour and Fine Gael are being honest about no such privatisation plans for Irish water then why not give the people their constitutional safeguard?

"My Right2Water report contains such safeguards.

"Namely the Commission must draft legislation which recognises access to water as a human right and it must make assurances that water services will be exempt from any trade deals, including TTIP."

The Right2Water march is to be held in Dublin on Saturday 29 August.

(CD)