Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 Jul 1982

Vol. 337 No. 10

Joint Committee on Building Land: Motion.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Raphael Burke)

I move:

1. That it is expedient that a Joint Committee of both Houses of the Oireachtas (which shall be called the Joint Committee on Building Land) consisting of 13 members of Dáil Éireann and 7 members of Seanad Éireann be appointed—

(a) To consider and make recommendations regarding possible legislative and other measures to deal, in the interests of the common good, with the supply and cost of building land (including land within and adjacent to urban areas), having regard, in particular, to:

(i) the Constitution and judgments of the Superior Courts in regard to the relevant articles thereof;

(ii) the Report of the Committee on the Price of Building Land (Prl. 3632);

(iii) tax legislation in relation to profits or gains from dealings in disposals of, or development of, land;

(iv) the operation of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Acts, 1963 and 1976;

(v) the Local Government (Building Land) Bill, 1982; and

(b) To report on the merits and demerits of any measures considered, with particular reference to—

(i) their constitutionality;

(ii) legal and administrative practicality;

(iii) financial and economic implications;

(iv) likely effects on the cost of housing and on other forms of development.

2. That the Joint Committee shall have power to send for persons, papers and records.

3. That the Joint Committee, previous to the commencement of business, shall elect one of its members to be Chairman, who shall have only one vote.

4. That all questions in the Joint Committee shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members present and voting and in the event of there being an equality of votes the question shall be decided in the negative.

5. That every report which the Joint Committee proposes to make shall, on adoption by the Joint Committee, be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas forthwith whereupon the Joint Committee shall be empowered to print and publish such report together with such related documents as it thinks fit.

6. That 7 members of the Joint Committee shall form a quorum of whom at least 3 shall be members of Dáil Éireann and at least 2 shall be members of Seanad Éireann.

7. That the Joint Committee report before 30 September 1983.

Mr. Fitzpatrick

(Cavan-Monaghan): I am glad the Minister's resolution has clarified the position regarding the recommendations which the committee can make because my advice is that, as drafted, there is a doubt as to whether the committee would have power to recommend changes in the Constitution. The Minister has now put that beyond doubt and it is clear that the committee will have powers, among other things, to recommend constitutional changes.

I understand the Minister accepts that the chairman of the committee, who shall have only one vote, will not be a member of the Government party. I also recommend, and I hope the Minister will accept, that the joint committee will have power to employ such experts as they deem necessary to advise them.

Mr. Quinn

I should like to thank the Minister for honouring a commitment which he made on foot of the Private Members' debate on the Labour Party Bill which is referred to in Schedule a (v). I am looking forward to this committee working and we will have our report in by September 1983.

Mr. Raphael Burke

I would like to thank Deputy Fitzpatrick for welcoming this measure. There is a tradition to be followed regarding the appointment of a chairman. The services of all Departments will be available to the committee at all times.

Mr. Fitzpatrick

(Cavan-Monaghan): Will the Government provide the finance with regard to these experts?

Mr. Raphael Burke

Most of the back-up services required by the committee in the terms of reference will be provided by the various Departments. Where finance matters arise, it is a question for the committee to decide how they operate. They will not find the Government wanting in this because we are very anxious to have a report on this measure.

I also thank Deputy Quinn for his remarks. I try, as far as possible, to honour commitments I make in the House.

Question put and agreed to.