Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is correct that the programme for Government contains a commitment to provide for the holding of a referendum on housing. It also commits to establishing a commission on housing to examine issues such as tenure, standards, sustainability and quality-of-life issues in the provision of housing. It is planned that the commission on housing will review the commitment to hold a referendum on housing once it has been formally established in September of this year. The chair designate for the commission was announced in May and work is advancing on the finalisation of the terms of reference and membership of the commission, and associated reporting requirements.

The establishment of the commission on housing provides a critical opportunity to support a considered debate, including a review of the conclusions of the eighth report of the Convention on the Constitution. It will also provide an opportunity to involve expert stakeholders in this area, to seek to achieve consensus around what the referendum may include and to ensure that suitable and well thought-out proposals can be developed on which to consult more widely, subsequent to consideration by the Government. It is important that any proposed amendment does not create any unforeseen consequences and provides legal clarity. Legal advice will be needed on the implications of any proposal. The commission on housing will provide the appropriate vehicle to support research and debate and develop proposals on this referendum.

There are a number of scheduled referendums in the programme for Government. In terms of my remit in electoral reform, it is the case that the Taoiseach will be considering all of these in sequence. The Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality has proposed another referendum. There is a schedule. My preference is that such referendums should be stand-alone referendums on specific days. Getting through the schedule of referendums is going to be a challenge.

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