Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 22 October 2024

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government

Constitutional Referendum on Right to Housing: Discussion

3:00 pm

Mr. Adam Boyle:

There are a couple of pieces to this. One of the things we have highlighted, and it should be very clear, is that the commission’s report does not come down on the side that a referendum is unnecessary. That is not the case. It indicates there is a lack of clarity around this issue and the ability to take plans and legislation. We point out, however, that this is not an either-or situation. If it is the case that, constitutionally, we are able to bring in certain policies without constitutional change, that is great; we can do that. At the same time, the benefit of a justiciable right to housing stretches beyond that. It stretches into, as I am sure Dr. Casey will discuss again, the backstop idea. It also stretches into the impetuous side of it.