Council workers threaten strike over water agency

Water shortages are looming after local authority workers threatened industrial action if they are not consulted properly over the setting up of Irish Water.

Siptu members employed in all of the country’s 34 council areas have voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking industrial action, up to and including strike action, if the Department of Environment fails to adequately consult with them on the transition of assets and workers’ duties to the new body.

In April, the Government announced the establishment of Irish Water, and said it would be operated by Bord Gáis Éireann as an independent state-owned subsidiary and would remain in public ownership.