Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. As he rightly stated, we have discussed this very important matter before. The programme for Government provides that the Government will establish a commission on housing to examine issues such as tender standards, sustainability, quality of life and the provision of housing. We intend to establish a commission on housing this year. We will be seeking stakeholder engagement and expressions of interest. Much work has been done on it and the commission on housing will be best placed with the structure we have to also look at items around the referendum on the right to housing. I met with Homes For Good quite recently. Groups such as this, Mercy Law Resource Centre and others have a real role to play. It is worth noting that the commitment to hold a referendum on a right to housing is not actually specific. It does not state that it will be on a right to housing but on housing. I believe we will be doing that and it is not excluded.

I outlined to the Deputy in January that it is being considered whether the commission on housing should play a role in looking at issues relating to the referendum. To answer the Deputy's question, the joint committee will have a central role to play in any agreement that is reached on wording. I see that as absolutely happening. Obviously, with the pandemic, I cannot imagine that there will be a referendum this year. The scoping is necessary to find the most appropriate type of wording and the most appropriate structure for the housing commission, which can deal with this and other legislative issues, areas such as cost and all the other matters that would be considered transgoverntmental in nature.

I am committed to it, as, I know, are Deputy Duffy and most members of the committee. I expect that we will have our housing commission, which will have an independent chair, in place this year. It will have very important work to undertake, not just in the area of the Constitution but also on legislative change with regard to housing delivery. It should work not to duplicate the work the Department is doing but, in many respects, to complement that and move issues along.

It is my belief and that of the Government that a home is a fundamental right. Central to that is the provision of safe and secure homes for our people. That is what we want to do. That is why we must tackle issues such as homelessness right now. We have got to set a constitutional and legislative basis for housing into the future. I look forward to working with the committee on that. I am committed to it. As already stated, is a core belief I have and that the Government shares. I know the Deputy does also. I will be happy to return to the committee on a regular basis to update it on the progress on legislation and the commission on housing, which I see being established this year.