Video – Right2Water Ireland takes campaign to European Parliament

LEADING figures from the Right2Water campaign in Ireland took part in a delegation headed by Dublin Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan to the European Parliament in Brussels to discuss the broader issues associated with the campaign for fair access to clean water services.

Over a day of conferences and discussions the delegation engaged with experts on the issue who outlined previous instances of water privatisation - often resulting in spiraling charges and lack of investment in infrastructure.

"What was particularly interesting were the case studies of Paris and Berlin and the subsequent reversion to public partnerships after disastrous attempts at privatisation," said Lynn Boylan.

Sinn Féin MP Conor Murphy also explained how he had blocked water charges in the north of Ireland in 2007 during his time as Regional Development Minister.

Others in attendance included representatives from Greece's SYRIZA and Germany's Die Linke parties.

The delegation also had a chance to quiz EU Commission representative Jorge Rodriguez Romero.

Brian Stanley TD said that responses from Mr Romero to his questions on the Irish derogation on domestic water charges showed that the Irish Government has flexibility on the issue:

"This Fine Gael/Labour government is not being upfront and honest with people on this matter and I call on the Minister to stop using the European Commission as an excuse for charging people twice for water."