Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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8. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the position regarding the referendum on the right to housing as set out in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33361/21]

Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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The programme for Government commits to a referendum on the right to housing. When I raised the issue in the House with the Tánaiste two or three months ago, he indicated that a commission on housing will be tasked with dealing with that process. What is the position on the commission on housing, will the referendum be a priority for that commission and when can we expect to see a possible wording for that constitutional change?

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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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.

Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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I thank the Minister of State for the positive news that progress is being made on the matter and that the commission will be active in September. A couple of months ago the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage had a good engagement with Home for Good. We fully understand the complexity of changing the Constitution. Later today, we will debate the Affordable Housing Bill 2021. I hope that it will be passed and that we will also soon pass the Land Development Agency Bill, which will see a large-scale roll-out of affordable housing, social housing and, importantly, cost-rental housing. I welcome the Minister's comments this morning on the housing for all strategy and the targets and objectives to be set in that regard, as well as the record budget that this Government has set aside for the delivery of that much-needed affordable housing. The referendum on the right to housing would add to the suite of measures that the Government is introducing to provide housing and it makes sense that it would be enshrined in the Constitution by way of legislation as soon as possible.

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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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.

Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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I welcome the Minister of State's comments, which are very positive. I assure him that the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage is available and willing to engage on this matter when progress is made on it. I understand that the Department is under a great deal of pressure as it develops legislation on marine planning, housing and many other issues. I hope there will be no delay in relation to the referendum. As I said, the committee is willing to engage on and support it.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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We will move on to Questions Nos. 10 and 50.

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Is Deputy Ó Broin not here to take Question No. 9?

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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I ask the Deputy to proceed with Question No. 10.

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Sinn Féin is still on a break, perhaps.