WATCH: Labour Minister Aodhán Ó Ríordáin calls for vote on Irish Water ownership

A Labour minister has said the issue of a referendum on retaining Irish Water in public ownership should be assessed during the lifetime of the next government.

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said that a vote on ruling out the privatisation of the utility could allay people’s fears and help build a level of trust around taxation.

The suggestion by the junior justice minister is expected to throw the contentious issue of Irish Water and charges back into the debate for the Coalition in the election campaign.