Press release
Housing Commission launches Public Consultation on a Referendum on Housing in Ireland
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Published on
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The Housing Commission has today launched a public consultation seeking views on a Referendum on Housing in Ireland. The consultation asks submissions to consider whether there should be a constitutional amendment and if so what form it should take.
The Commission is encouraging as many people as possible to have their say in this consultation on a Referendum on Housing in Ireland. Members of the public, public representatives, organisations involved in housing, people working in related policy and legal areas are now invited to send in submissions to assist the Commission in its task of providing independent advice to the government on a potential constitutional amendment.
The public consultation will remain open until Friday 2 September.
John O’Connor, Chair of the Housing Commission, opened the consultation saying:
“I greatly welcome the launch the Housing Commission’s consultation on a Referendum on Housing in Ireland. Housing affects everyone and I recognise many people have views on what form a constitutional amendment on Housing might take. This consultation allows members of the public, people working in Housing and related areas, tenants and landlords to have their say on this important subject.
“I would like to use this opportunity to encourage anyone with a view to take part in this consultation. It is an important opportunity to assist us identify the wide-ranging and critical viewpoints on a referendum on Housing.”
Ailbhe O’Neill BL, Chair of the Commission’s Referendum Subcommittee said:
“Following on from our conference in May at which experts shared their views, we now seek a broader consultation with the public. This consultation is important to the Housing Commission in assisting us in our consideration of what a referendum on Housing in Ireland might look like. I urge anyone interested to use this opportunity to share their views with the Commission.”
The Commission would like to encourage as many people as possible to have their say in this consultation on a Referendum on Housing in Ireland.
There are 3 ways to provide your views:
In anticipation that there may be a high volume of interest in this consultation process and to help the Commission to engage with the key points, respondents are encouraged to keep their submissions to a maximum of 2,500 words.
Please provide your submission by Friday 2 September 2022.
The Housing Commission was established by Government to independently examine and review the housing system in Ireland.
The Housing Commission is considering what the features of a good housing system that works for everyone are and what steps are required to introduce a good housing system in Ireland.
The Commission has also been set the specific task of making a recommendation to Government on a proposed referendum on housing.
The Housing Commission’s Terms of Reference cover a wide range of issues connected to housing, one of which is to consider the complex constitutional issues arising in this area and to propose appropriate wording for a referendum on housing.
The Public Consultation on a Referendum on Housing in Ireland is now open until Friday 2 September.
Input from all parties is welcome. This includes:
o the local authority sector
o the community and voluntary sector
o the construction sector
o related professional bodies
The Housing Commission hosted a ‘Conference on a referendum on Housing in Ireland’ in the UCD School of Law on 10 and 11 May. The two-day conference featured a range of Irish and International experts who shared their views on housing experiences nationally and internationally and outlined the complex constitutional issues to be considered.
Papers and presentations submitted for last month's Conference on a Referendum on Housing are now available to view here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/127ea-conference-on-a-referendum-on-housing-in-ireland/