Group admits election ‘reality’

Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy has admitted the Right2Water movement will not be able to run election candidates on the “widespread basis we would have hoped for”.

The Dublin South West deputy, one of 23 people expected to be charged this week over a protest incident in Jobstown, made the comment as the Right2Water campaign group announced moves to sign up candidates.

Despite the organisation’s desire to run candidates across the country, Mr Murphy said: “I don’t think it’s going to happen on a widespread basis — that’s the reality.”

While encouraging people to put their names forward despite the impact it may have on parties such as the Socialists/AAA, Mr Murphy said the campaign was not getting “the numbers we would have hoped for”.

He said some campaigners had joined existing groups. “A big section of the campaign in Athlone and Cobh have joined AAA, for example,” he said.

Right2Water co-ordinator and Unite trade union official Brendan Ogle said the organisation was planning to run candidates in “every constituency” should they want to sign up to its policies. However, he stopped short of putting himself forward.

“For the next month the Right2Water campaign will hold town hall meetings in every county, open meetings [to outline its policies]. All we’ll need is candidates.”

Mr Ogle initially said he had not “given it any consideration” to running. Asked why not, and if this showed a lack of leadership, he said: “If I did immediately then the conversation would change to personality, it would be about that person.

“I understand the media impulse to give us a name, give us something. We’re giving you this [Right2Water policies due this weekend], let’s read it, let’s study it.

“We’re not saying never never never [say if someone is running], we’re going to have that conversation. Then will be the time for people to stand up.”