Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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438. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on the Government commitment to stage a referendum on water ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55067/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Public ownership is a core principle governing the development of water services and the Government has given its full commitment to holding a referendum on ownership of water services It is important to note that the establishment of Uisce Éireann in public ownership is already firmly secured under the Water Services Acts 2007 to 2022.

I have previously committed to bringing forward a referendum proposal on public ownership of water services for consideration by Government in conjunction with the anticipated recommendation of a proposed referendum on housing.

The Housing Commission has submitted its report and recommendations to me in respect of a constitutional change on housing. A minority report was also recently submitted to me by a small number of members. I am now considering both reports and will shortly bring proposed next steps in that process to Government. I intend to take a similar approach to the proposed referendum on water ownership.

In this way, it is intended that definitive proposals, including next steps and timelines, for referendums on water and housing will be considered by Government in due course.