Bree wants a vote on Irish Water
A call has been made for a constituional referendum to be held in order to rule out the future privatisation of water servces.
It was made by Independent Councillor Declan Bree when addressing an Easter 1916 Commemoration Ceremony at Sligo Cemetery.
Cllr Declan Bree who presided at the ceremony said:
“While the government has been stopped from imposing water charges, we cannot be complacent.
“The establishment parties have voted to retain Irish Water and to continue installing meters in new houses. This clearly leaves the door open for any future government to introduce charges and privatise our water resources.
“In this context there is now a need for an early referendum to insert into the Constitution an amendment which would rule out any future privatisation of water, or water services.” he said. The main speaker at the Easter Sunday People First event was Corey White ( above with Brian Scanlon and Cllr Bree) who said it was incredibly important to remember the strength which unity creates.
“It is communicated to us that we are powerless to change our destiny. Those of us gathered here today know that is not true, and Ireland is beginning to awaken, said Mr Whyte.
Led by flag bearers carrying the Tricolour, the Red Flag and the Plough and the Stars, participants in the ceremony marched from Cairns Drive to the Republican Plot in Sligo cemetery to hear Mr Whyte deliver his oration.
He spoke of how unified communities had stood against the imposition of water charges.
“Communities united and a mass movement was born that realised it had the power to force change for the better. The establishment politicians were sent scrambling forced to make pitiful concession after concession. But the issue is now much bigger than water. The working class people of this county have awoken with a justifiable fury and appetite for justice. There is no concession that will make this hunger for a fairer society disappear,” Mr Whyte said.
Following the oration as a lone piper played a lament, floral tributes were laid at the Republican Plot by Ms Laura Scanlon on behalf of People First and the Connolly Forum and by Ms Sinead Costello on behalf of the People’s Movement. The ceremony concluded with the National Anthem. As the parade made its way to the Republican Plot a short ceremony also took place at the grave of Republican Socialist and People First activist Marcus Murray, who died last year.
Meanwhile, at the annual Sinn Féin Easter Commemoration Sinn Féin Deputy David Cullinane said Brexit presented very serious challenges for Ireland North and South.
“It is bad for business, bad for jobs and bad for rural Ireland. It reinforces the border at a time when the future is an All- island economy.,” the Waterford Deputy said. Following the reading of the 1916 Proclamation and County Sligo’s Roll of Honour, Deputy Cullinane delivered his keynote address.
Deputy Cullinane added:“It is inconceivable that one part of the island will be in the EU and another out. Sinn Féin has called for special designated status for the North within the EU. We also argue for a United Ireland as the best political and economic future for Ireland. This must be achieved through dialogue, persuasion and through a democratic referendum.” Earlier in the day wreath- laying ceremony took place in Ballisodare at the graveside of 1916 veteran Martin Savage, killed at Ashtown Road in 1919.