asked the Minister for Justice if he was aware of the recommendations of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland with regard to the removal of certain impositions concerning the buying of private houses; and if these recommendations would receive consideration by his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Private House Purchase.
21.
The Incorporated Law Society have made certain recommendations to my Department concerning the incidence of costs in connection with the buying of private houses. These recommendations are under consideration. I indicated in the Seanad in February last that I was concerned about this problem and that I would propose in the next appropriate Bill that lending institutions should be made to bear their own legal costs in the case of mortgages for private house purchase.
Arising out of the reply which I think is very good, could the Minister say when he thinks he may bring in this Bill?
I fear that I cannot give any estimate of time even though this would not be a major Bill. My Department is so completely overworked at present and has been for quite some time past that even comparatively minor Bills of this kind, unfortunately, are held up for very much longer than I would wish.
The Minister will appreciate that it would be a great boon to people buying houses if he could have it done as soon as possible.
Yes, I appreciate that.
Would the change be extended to advances made by public authorities?
As I propose it, the change would apply to all mortgages for private houses irrespective of the nature of the lending agency.