A Social Democrats’ motion calling on Dublin City Council to recognise housing as a fundamental human right was carried last night.
The motion, tabled by Cllr Lesley Byrne, outlined a number of actions the council must take to enshrine this principle in all its housing policies and actions.
Speaking on the matter, Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne said:
“Dublin City Council’s progress on recognising housing as a fundamental human right is a step in the right direction, but national action must be taken to achieve this change.
“The Minister for Housing must follow Dublin City Council’s lead and enshrine housing as a human right by holding a referendum on the matter.
“This would mark a change in approach in terms of how this government handles the housing crisis, which is the defining catastrophe of modern Ireland.
“In the meantime, Dublin City Council must implement its stance in both policy and its actions – everyone in Ireland deserves a safe, warm and secure home.”
Dublin City Councillor Leslie Byrne said:
“By passing this motion, the council has formally recognised that housing is a fundamental human right – not a privilege.
“This is a vital first step in the right direction, but it is only the beginning. The fact that it was carried without debate, driven by the sheer volume of emails from the public, shows the power of collective action.
“When people organise and speak out, change becomes unavoidable, and we must keep that pressure up to make this right a reality, not just a statement.”
January 13th, 2025