Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In line with programme for government commitments I established the Housing Commission in December 2021 as an independent body to examine and evaluate Ireland's housing system, including issues such as tenure standards, sustainability, quality-of-life issues and the provision of housing. At the same time, I also tasked the commission to advise the Government on the critical factors to be considered regarding a referendum on housing and, if appropriate, to recommend a wording for a constitutional change. While not a commitment to a referendum on a right to housing this was not precluded from the commission's terms of reference.

The commission recently submitted its report and recommendations to me regarding the proposed constitutional amendment. In reaching its conclusions the commission examined the range of complex constitutional questions arising. I commend it on the work all its members have done and I know Deputy Ó Broin will join me in this. It undertook comprehensive consultation, researched international experience, evaluated various proposed wordings and considered other critical factors involved in introducing an amendment to the Constitution.

I am considering the commission's comprehensive analysis and report, together with the next steps in the process. I expect the next step will be to bring it to the Government and I expect to do so shortly. If it is agreed at Cabinet I will be looking at what the next steps are. I would see the Cathaoirleach of the Oireachtas joint committee and Deputies Ó Broin and McAuliffe, as members, also having a role in this. I expect in quite a short space of time to be able to bring the report and recommendations to Cabinet, along with my recommendations on where we go next in the process. I believe the joint committee will have an important role in this, and how we move it on from there is something that will have to be agreed with its members. It is significant and good work. I understand there could potentially also be a minority report coming but I want to move ahead with the report that I have. I will bring it to the Government shortly.

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