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

Again, the Deputy is correct. The work of the Government is underpinning a right to housing. Housing is being delivered at a scale of pace. As my colleagues have said, there is a record capital budget for this year and that will continue into the future until we make serious inroads into the housing crisis. It is important to note that the right to housing in recognised in Europe in the constitutions of Belgium, Finland, Greece, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden and in legislation in Austria, France, Germany, Luxembourg and the UK. Around the world, the right to housing is included in 81 constitutions. There is good precedence for the commission on housing to look to other jurisdictions in getting the wording correct on a right to housing. The proposal has to be delivered in the correct way and, as has been said, in a way that does not deliver any unforeseen consequences. The Government's approach to housing is on a rights base. We are keen to deliver over the term of this Government.

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