Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the views expressed by Mr. Honohan because they will clear the decks a little that as a State we can intervene and purchase property from vulture funds by means of compulsory purchase orders to get housing directly rather than building which would take a much longer period. There is also the issue of clearing the decks in terms of the planning laws to allow for six, 12 or 20 weeks for building in the longer term. That clears the decks and recognises that the committee can start playing a key role in trying to push the emergency element and then look at the longer-term issue.

My question relates to the European Convention on Human Rights in regard to housing. In the longer term does Mr. Honohan consider that having a housing right in the Constitution would benefit legislation into the future to help maintain a balance of public and private housing and impose a responsibility of the State to provide public housing? When selling commercial property, the State can sell the property with a tenant in situwhereas private landlords cannot do this in any shape or form. Would there be a problem if a regulation was introduced where a property could be sold with a tenant in situ?

Can that be done or is there a problem with that?