We need a vote on water

A recent report shows the 19 UK water firms made profits of more than £2.05 billion in 2013, handed out £1.86 bn to shareholders but paid just £74 million in tax. Seven of them paid no corporation tax at all.

Just over two million people in the UK are in arrears. Private water firms know they can to ratchet up charges, as water is the one service no one can ever do without.

Ireland has been a world leader in progressive legislation. We now have an opportunity to lead by example in facing down the predatory power of the multinationals, by enshrining our inalienable rights to ownership and control of our natural resources through a constitutional referendum.