Trinity Sinn Féin has called on the Students’ Union to hold a referendum on water charges. It said today that it has gathered the 250 signatures required to call a referendum on union policy.
Its proposed wording for the referendum is: “Do you believe water is a fundamental human right and seek Trinity College Students’ Union to campaign for equal, free and universal access to water?”
In a statement released this afternoon, the branch said: “Over the past number of months we have seen unprecedented levels of protest and debate over the matter of water charges. Thousands of people from every segment of society have marched on the streets over the issue, however the voice of one particular segment of society has remained unheard. That of students of which it effects as much as any man, women or child outside of Trinity walls. This needs to change.”
It added that “a giant elephant marched by the building [yesterday] in the form of water protesters, the student body has noticed this and has subsequently responded.”
The statement was co-signed by Trinity Sinn Féin chair Thomas Hanlon, treasurer Fiona Gribben, secretary Síle Ní Thiarnan and public relations officer Yaro Kozyr.
Domhnall McGlacken-Byrne, SU president, said he had not yet been contacted by Trinity Sinn Féin about the issue, but was aware that they had been gathering signatures for a referendum.
Photo: Trinity Sinn Féin