asked the Minister for Justice the reforms he has introduced since March, 1973, to speed the process in the Land Registry office.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Registry Office.
17.
Many remedial measures, including the reorganisation of both the legal-clerical and the mapping structures, have been taken in recent years in order to provide a more efficient service in the Land Registry. These arose from the implementation of recommendations made by a study group which was set up in 1968 to review the organisation and procedures of the registry.
Early in 1974 I reconstituted the study group to continue the work of examining the organisation and procedures of the Land Registry and to furnish recommendations as to changes that should be made so as to enable the registry to discharge their functions more efficiently. I accept the group's recommendations to the effect that a new mapping system should be introduced and a special section in the Mapping Branch is now working on the implementation of the new system. One of the main advantages of the new system is that, when it is operative, a registered owner will be able to obtain a copy of a document, known as a filed plan, which will comprise both the folio and the map relating to his holding. Under the existing system, a major source of delay has been the need for copy maps to be drawn by hand, which is a time-consuming process. Under the new system delays in this area will be completely eliminated, as it will be possible to produce copies of the filed plans photographically.
The amount of work involved in the introduction of the new system is considerable but I am hopeful that it can be completed in a reasonable period of time. I expect the study group will let me have, in the very near future, detailed plans showing how the new system can be fully implemented within a reasonable time.
The study group are also examining other areas of difficulty in the Land Registry, notably first registrations, storage of documents and the question of accommodation generally. I expect that the group will furnish early reports on these matters.
Apart from fundamental changes, a number of remedial measures have been taken from time to time in order to reduce delays in the registry. As a result of these measures, which included the working of overtime and an increase of 15 per cent in staff numbers since the beginning of 1973, the arrears of dealings in registered land, which constitute the main bulk of the work of the registry, have been reduced by 27 per cent since the beginning of 1973, despite the fact that the intake of dealings increased by 35 per cent during the same period.
I am hopeful that the improvement in the arrears position will not only be maintained but greatly accelerated as a result particularly of the changes which are being introduced. I am most anxious that the Land Registry should provide the most efficient service possible and I will continue to do whatever I can to achieve this end. In this context I might mention that in order to facilitate the public in the lodgment of applications, I made an order in November, 1974, providing that fees could be paid by cash, banker's draft, money order, postal order or cheque as well as by Land Registry stamps, which was previously the only method by which fees could be paid.
I am sure every Deputy appreciates the work carried out by the Land Registry, especially in view of the facilities available to that office. Would the Minister consider that an increase in the number of draftsmen would be of immediate help, as was done by his predecessor?
I would consider they would have to be increased when the new mapping system is implemented. This is a matter on which the review group will be making representations and I should not like to anticipate what they may say.
While congratulating the Minister on speeding up procedures——
That is not a question.
The Deputy may leave that matter to the Chair.
With regard to the proposal the Minister outlined that a map be furnished with the folio, perhaps he would explain a little further what the review body have in mind in regard to this matter?
As the Deputy probably knows from his experience in practice, the procedures in the Land Registry have speeded up considerably in the last couple of years. In order to speed them up even more, the project is to tackle what is the main cause of delay, namely, in the mapping procedures. A process of photo-copying will be used more widely. In the future when a copy folio is bespoken a new instrument will be furnished in the reply, an instrument which will contain the present folio and the present map in the one document in a photo-copy form.
Will the Minister investigate the fact that the Land Registry have refused documents when there was a change of personnel? They have given these documents after 1½ years.
I am aware of the case to which the Deputy has referred. It is a question of interpretation of Land Registry rules, a different interpretation by a different person. The different interpretation is in ease of the case the Deputy has mentioned.
This point should be a matter of straightforward law, not subject to interpretation. As a lawyer the Minister will probably agree with me.
Unfortunately, laws are subject to varying interpretations.
Will the Minister not agree that very often solicitors are wont to blame delays in the Land Registry for their own inactivity?
I do not think it happens very often, although it had been known to happen. Likewise, solicitors have had occasion to blame the Land Registry for delays, particularly prior to 1973.