Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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272. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 131 of 9 February 2023, if he will provide an update on preparations for the referendum on public ownership of Uisce Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4660/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Public ownership is a core principle governing the development of water services and the Government has given its full commitment to holding a referendum on ownership of water services. As I have previously noted, 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 services for consideration by Government in conjunction with the anticipated recommendation of a proposed referendum on housing.

The Housing Commission has submitted its report and recommendations to me regarding a proposed constitutional amendment. In reaching its conclusions, the Commission examined inter alia the range of complex constitutional questions arising. It undertook a comprehensive consultation, researched international experience, evaluated various proposed wordings and considered other critical factors involved with introducing an amendment to the Constitution. I am currently considering the Commission's comprehensive analysis and report, together with the next steps in the process, and I expect to bring these to Government in the not too distant future.

I intend to take a similar approach to the proposed referendum on water ownership.

In this way, it is intended that definitive proposals, including next steps and timelines, for referendums on water and housing will be considered by Government in due course.