asked the Minister for Justice whether in view of his statements on 26th February on the subject of prospective changes in the laws of inheritance for the purpose of ensuring equitable treatment of surviving dependants, he will state at approximately what date he hopes to have completed his consideration of this aspect of Irish law; at approximately what date he hopes to introduce legislation on the subject; and if he will indicate the nature of the changes in the inheritance law which he hopes to make.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Laws of Inheritance.
82.
Work has begun in my Department on the preparation of a scheme for a comprehensive legislation to deal with the descent of property on intestacy and also to provide for what are known as the "legal rights" of dependants. Thus the legislation will cover both the law of inheritance and the law of wills. Pending decisions of the Government on matters that I shall submit to them, I cannot at this stage indicate the nature of the changes that will be proposed to the Oireachtas. The aspects of the subject that will be dealt with are indicated at paragraphs 10 to 14 of the recently published Programme of Law Reform.
I shall make every effort to bring my proposals before the Government as early as possible this year. I should stress that there is a considerable amount of work involved but we are pressing ahead with it as quickly as we can.