In Ireland, disagreement on constitutional reform delays housing referendum

Work on a referendum on housing has been delayed amid disagreement over recommendations for constitutional reform, The Irish Times has learned. The Housing Commission, which has been tasked with developing options for a referendum for Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien, is yet to agree on a final wording or sign off on its report on the issue. A referendum on the issue has long been sought by housing campaigners either to establish a right to housing or else to limit property rights in the Constitution. [...] The Programme for Government commits the Coalition to holding referendums on housing, and also to refer the “issue of the environment, including water, and its place in the Constitution” to an Oireachtas committee. The Government is also set to hold a referendum on the extension of the franchise in presidential elections, and needs to hold one on joining the international patent court. [...] On [8 March], the Taoiseach said wording for up to three referendums on gender equality will be published in the early summer.
Read the full article here: The Irish Times