The Gazette 1989

GAZETTE

DECEMBER 1989

available from the Land Registry. . . . The proposal I am making to establish a semi-State corporation has the approval of the Incorpor-^ ated Law Society. Mr. Flanagan: I agree wholeheart- edly with a discussion document produced by the Incorporated Law Society in November 1988 which stated that the Land Registry and indeed the Registry of Deeds are inappropriately placed under the auspices of the Department of Justice. The purpose of the motion is to change matters and I hope that . . . it will spur the Minister for Justice into some badly needed action. The Minister for Justice, Mr. Burke: I move amendment No. 1. to delete the words after "Dail É i r eann" and subs t i t u te t he following: "notes that the Minister for Justice is carrying out an urgent general review of the operations of the Land Registry and Registry of Deeds with a view to bringing about substantial improvements in the level of services provided by the Registries." " . . . the delays currently being experienced by members of the public and by the legal profession who use the registries are unacceptable." . . . The services provided by the registries are essential to the public interest and I fully accept the point made in the motion that the delays currently being experienced by members of the public and by the legal profession who use the registries are unacceptable. It is my intention to take the necessary steps to minimise delays and to ensure that the services are pro- vided in an efficient and cost- effective manner. However, before I can finalise the steps which are necessary, I need to review the operation of the registries and to examine carefully the various options which are open to me, including the option of establishing a semi-State corporation.

Much reference has been made tonight to the fact that the Law Society referred to the semi-State s t r uc t u re as being the ideal structure in their review of the operation of the Land Registry. Like most other people, including all the Members of this House, their main concern was not the structure but to try to remove the delays for people. . . . Reconstitution of the regis- tries as some form of semi-State corporation would require legisla- tion which would take a consider- able amount of time. Apart from difficulties in drawing up detailed proposals and drafting a Bill, the legislation would not be without controversy. " . . . I will not delay in putting proposals to the Government in the matter as soon as the review is complete, which will be shortly." Shortly after taking up office in July, I informed the House that I had undertaken a full review of the operations of the Land Registry and Registry of Deeds. That review is still on-going as a matter or urgency and is not being long-fingered.

There are a number of options open to me and I believe that all possible so l u t i ons must be carefully examined so that in the end the best interests of the public will be served by whatever solution is implemented. I am, however, aware of the need for urgency in finalising my review and I can assure the House that I will not delay in putting proposals to Government in the matter as soon as the review is complete which will be shortly. Mr. Ferris: The Labour Party amendment to this motion reads: " w i t h the freedom to retain and invest whatever surplus it accumu- lates in modernisation of equip- ment and facilities, and in adequate professional staffing levels. Mr. O'Leary, Mr. Davern, Mr. Spring, Mr. O'Donoghue, Mr. D. Ahern, Mr. Clohessy, Mr. McCartan, Mr. Sheehan, Mr. Carey, Mrs. Taylor-Quinn and Mr. Deenihan also spoke on the motion. The Minister's amendment was accepted by 66 votes to 62. Amending Legislation - Solicitors' Acts Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice when he proposes to introduce legislation to amend the Solicitors Acts.

Government Publications The publications in this list may be purchased from the Government Publica- tions Sales Office, Sun Alliance House, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2. If publica- tions are to be sent by post, the amount of postage should be added to the price. Catalogue No. Price Postage 1/89 Garda Siochana Act, 1989 (20g) 90p 32p 2/89 Landlord and Tenant (Amendment) Act, 1989 (20g) 70p 32p 3/89 Insurance Act, 1989 (50g) £4.45 32p 6/89 Judicial Separation and Family Law Reform Act, 1989. (50g) £3.55 32p 7/89 Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989. (100g) £5.75 42p 10/89 Finance Act, 1989. (200g) £9.30 63p 13/89

Shannon Free Airport Development Company Limited (Amendment) Act 1989. (20g) University of Limerick Act, 1989. (20g) Dublin City University Act, 1989. (20g) Central Bank Act, 1989. (200g) Building Societies Act, 1989. (250g) Report on Crime 1988. (PI. 6457) (12 5g) Garda Siochana Complaints Board An nual Report 1988-89. (PI. 6637) (110g) Rules of the Superior Courts (No. 1), 1989. Guide to changes in the Rules of the Superior Courts, 1986. (100g)

90p 90p 90p

32p 32p 32p 63p 63p

14/89 15/89 16/89 17/89 J61/42

£7.55 £11.55

£2.65

63p

J113/1

£2.20

42p

J114

£2.65

42p

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