Dáil debates private members' bill proposing constitutional right to housing

A private members' bill proposing to enshrine a right to housing in the Constitution has been introduced at Second Stage in Dáil Éireann.

Moving the Forty-first Amendment of the Constitution (Right to Housing) Bill 2026, Deputy Rory Hearne stated that the legislation adopts the constitutional amendment proposed by the Housing Commission. The Commission, established by the Government, previously recommended holding a referendum to insert a new Article 40A into Bunreacht na hÉireann.

Under the wording set out in the Bill, the State would recognise that access to adequate housing promotes the common good by facilitating family, social, and community relationships. The proposed amendment would require the State to guarantee every citizen a right of access to adequate housing and pledge, as far as practicable, to protect and vindicate that right through legislation.

During the debate, Deputy Hearne argued that inserting the provision into the Constitution would create clear legal responsibilities across the State, including for local authorities and the Minister for housing. The debate also referenced calls from civil society organisations, including the Home for Good coalition and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, which have advocated balancing existing constitutional property protections with an explicit right to housing.

The debate on the Second Stage of the Bill included contributions from Deputies James Browne, Thomas Gould, Richard Boyd Barrett, Eoin Ó Broin, and Conor Sheehan.