The group set up to advise the Government on proposals for a referendum on housing has opened a public consultation process.

The Housing Commission was asked to carry out a review of the housing system in Ireland, to look at the constitutional issues arising, and to propose appropriate wording for a referendum on housing.

The consultation is asking for views on whether there should be a constitutional amendment on housing and, if so, what form it should take.

It follows a conference at the UCD Law School in May, at which Irish and international experts shared their views on housing and outlined the constitutional issues to be considered.

‘Important opportunity’

Commission chair John O’Connor (pictured) encouraged anyone with a view to take part in the process.

“It is an important opportunity to assist us identify the wide-ranging and critical viewpoints on a referendum on housing,” he said.

The public consultation will remain open until Friday, 2 September.

There are three ways to make a submission:

• Responding to the consultation, ‘Public Consultation on a Referendum on Housing’,
• Emailing a submission to ConsultHC@housingcommission.gov.ie,
• Posting a submission to: Housing Commission, Custom House, Dublin 1, D01 W6X0.

Those making submissions are being asked to limit them to no more than 2,500 words.