Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a Government policy to hold a referendum on housing and, to this end, the Housing Commission was tasked with examining and reporting on a referendum on housing. As I said, the commission submitted its official referendum report to the Minister for housing last summer, with a minority referendum report submitted some considerable time later in November. While the delay is regrettable, the Minister hopes to bring both referendum reports to Government, together with the commission's broader report on recommendations, to the housing system once the latter is received in the coming weeks.

That said, it is clear from the commission's comprehensive analysis that there are complex matters to be considered. The matter is made no less complex with the submission of the minority report and alternative views expressed by certain commission members. However, given the importance of the matter and the significant public interest in it, the opportunity the minority report affords for a fully informed consideration on the complex policy and legal issues arising is welcomed. While it will be a matter for the Government to decide, the Minister also considers the joint Oireachtas committee will have an important role in this regard and believes how we move forward on the matter from here is something which should be agreed with the committee members.