Paul Murphy demands date and wording for Right to Housing referendum
Paul Murphy pressed the Taoiseach to set a date and publish the wording for the proposed Right to Housing referendum, nine months after the Dáil endorsed the Right to Housing Bill. He criticised government vagueness and warned that housing is being treated as a commodity, with funds and developers prioritised over tenants.
Call for referendum date and wording
He asked when the Government will set a date for the referendum and what wording will be proposed, noting reports that the Cabinet is discussing the matter but saying there has been no progress and no published text.
Dáil endorsement and timeline
He reminded the House it has been nine months since the Dáil agreed to call a referendum to insert the right to a home into the Constitution, and said there is still no timetable or firm commitment from the Government.
Critique of housing policy
He argued the root of the housing crisis is that housing in Ireland is seen as an investment and commodity rather than a fundamental human right, and said the rights of cuckoo funds, REITs and developers to profit take precedence over tenants and people seeking homes.
Demand for guarantees from the Taoiseach
He pressed the Taoiseach to guarantee the referendum will take place while they remain in office, warning against becoming yet another Taoiseach who fails to deliver the right to housing for people.
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It's nine months, Taoiseach, since the Dáil endorsed our Right to Housing Bill, which Richard is referring to. The Dáil agreed to call a referendum to insert the right to a home into the Irish Constitution. Nine months on, we have no date for this referendum, no progress on that, but then reports today, okay, that the Cabinet is discussing it. But what we need to know is, what is the wording that is going to be proposed by the Government? I think there has been a lot of vagueness about that, it's in the Programme for Government in a very vague way. And what is the timing? At the root of the housing crisis is that housing in Ireland, and in most countries around the world, is seen as an investment, as a commodity, as a way to make money, rather than as a fundamental human right. Basically, the rights of cuckoo funds to profit, of REITs to profit, of developers to profit, takes precedence over the right of tenants and people seeking to have access to their own home. So when will you set the date? What will the wording be? And will you guarantee that this will happen while you are still Taoiseach, rather than being yet another Taoiseach that fails to deliver the right to housing for people? Thank you.
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