Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 October 2023
142. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a date has been set for a referendum on enshrining public ownership of Uisce Éireann in the Constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43030/23]
View answerPublic ownership is a core principle governing the development of water services and the Government has given its full commitment to holding a referendum on water ownership. 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 for consideration by Government in conjunction with the anticipated recommendation of a proposed referendum on housing. The Housing Commission has recently submitted its report and recommendations to me in respect of a constitutional change on housing. I plan to bring these recommendations to Government in due course, together with my proposals for next steps in that process. I intend to take a similar approach for the proposed referendum on water ownership.
In this way, it is intended that definitive proposals, including next steps and timelines, for referenda on water and housing will be considered by Government in due course.
