Constitutional right to housing
Deputy Ellis asks whether the Constitutional Convention’s recommendation on a right to housing will lead to legislation; the Taoiseach says the Government will consider it within six months and is prioritising housing supply.
At the weekend the Constitutional Convention decided to support the inclusion of the right to housing in the Constitution. When will legislation be brought before the House to allow for a vote to enshrine these rights in Bunreacht na hÉireann? Will this decision be reflected in upcoming housing legislation, strengthening the State's responsibilities and citizens' rights to housing?
Comment on this
The Government has to consider the reports of the Constitutional Convention within a six-month period and give its view and response to the claims or proposals made by the convention. In all cases where the convention recommends a change to the Constitution a referendum will be required. I answered a question from Deputy Healy earlier about public housing and the pressure on for housing at the moment. That will be the focus of a specific Cabinet meeting due for Thursday, which will deal with the construction sector. Everyone will appreciate the necessity of making an impact in this area. We will also have the debate on housing, that had been promised, in the coming weeks. It was to have taken place three weeks ago but something else intervened.