Sinn Féin will petition President not to sign water bill
Sinn Féin will ask the President not to sign the Water Services Bill if it passes the legislative process this week.
The party announced that it will petition the President to put the question to the people under Article 27 of the Constitution.
Article 27 provides for "a proposal of such national importance that the will of the people thereon ought to be ascertained".
If a petition is presented to the President, signed by a majority of the Seanad and at least one-third of the Dáil, he is required to consult with the Council of State and decide whether to put it before the public.
Sinn Féin has 14 of the Dáil's 166 seats - they would require more than 40 external supporters to reach their one-third goal. In the Seanad, Sinn Féin hold only three of the 60 seats.
The party is calling on all members of the Oireachtas to support their action.
“We have been opposed to domestic water charges from day one and we are glad that the people have risen up so strongly against them," said Sinn Féin Senator David Cullinane.
“We have promised to do all in our power to oppose the introduction of these charges. Therefore, if both Houses of the Oireachtas pass the Water Services Bill this week we will then seek to petition the President under Article 27 of the Constitution.
“We have the petition ready to go and we will be inviting all Oireachtas members who are genuinely opposed to domestic water charges to support this action.”
The Water Services Bill is currently in the Seanad, having been discussed by Senators until 3am on Saturday morning. It is due to resume on Monday.
The vote on the second stage saw it pass by 31 to 26. It is likely to pass - and must be completed this month to allow billing for water to begin as planned in January.
