Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The current programme for Government commits to the holding of referendums on housing and on extending the franchise at presidential elections to Irish citizens living outside of the State. While respecting the independence of the Housing Commission and acknowledging its members reported disagreement, surely some indication has been given to the Minister as to when he can expect a proposed wording for the referendum. Housing is the greatest challenge of this generation and the crisis is down to the failure of successive governments in not building public housing and in also handing too much responsibility over to the markets. A constitutional right to housing will not guarantee every person in the State a home but it would place an important legal obligation on this Government and on all future governments to realise progressively that right through their policies, laws and budgets. This is an important point.

There is even less certainty on extending presidential voting rights with the Minister, Deputy Coveney, indicating that this may only take place if the Government reaches its full term. What exactly is the delay on the Government side? The Taoiseach told us in the past month that there would be a window for constitutional change from November of this year so will this window include both referendums?

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