Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will probably repeat a little of what has been said. One of the concerns that many of us have is that in the second document that emerged from the Workplace Relations Commission discussions, which is directly related to this legislation and to Deputy Cian O'Callaghan's Bill, there is no commitment to hold a referendum. To be clear, we have a commitment from the Minister to consider, at a future date, bringing a proposal to the Government. Does the Minister of State know if there is consensus among the Government parties that if such a proposition was brought, there would be agreement? We are waiting for the Commission on Housing to report and we understand it will report in November. We understand it is highly likely to recommend a referendum on the right to housing in the Constitution. However, we also know from this committee that while a majority of members are on record as supporting such a measure, Fine Gael members, as is their right, currently do not support such a proposition, although that may change. I am not asking about Cabinet because it is governed by Cabinet confidentiality, but is the Minister of State aware of any consensus among the three parties in government that a referendum to enshrine in the Constitution the public ownership of our public water system or utility would be a good thing? I ask because there is considerable concern among water service workers regarding the single utility. One of the points many of these workers make is that if there was a constitutional protection for the public status of the utility, and this speaks directly to Deputy O'Donoghue's question, the decision of whether they transfer to Irish Water would be a much easier one for them to make. Therefore, some clarity on where the Government parties stand would be really helpful on this.