Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their questions. I will start with the proposed referendum on housing. The first step is for the Housing Commission to present its wording to the Government. That has not happened yet and we expect it will happen no later than July. There will then be consideration by the Government. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked if we will consult the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage and we will absolutely do that. That will be part of the process of consultation. I anticipate the referendum will happen during the term of office of this Government but I think we need to be realistic about it too. I heard Deputy Boyd Barrett ask if it would allow us to do something about tenants' rights. We have done a lot on tenants' rights.

See this speech in context