asked the Minister for Justice if he will take immediate action to have the 1949 Auctioneers' Act amended as promised by the Taoiseach to the Irish Auctioneers and Valuers Institute in November 1984; the reasons for the delay in having this implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Auctioneers' Act Amendment.
15.
Proposals by the Irish Auctioneers and Valuers Institute for amendments to the Auctioneers and House Agents Acts, 1947 to 1973, have been received and are under consideration in my Department.
In his speech at the Irish Auctioneers and Valuers Institute dinner dance on 15 November 1984 the Taoiseach referred to the question of amending legislation and said that he would hope that the Minister for Justice "within the next few months will be able to come to the Government with proposals that reflect the needs of the consumer and that from those proposals legislation will ensue". Since November 1984 my Department have had consultations with bodies who would be concerned with any amendments to the legislation in question. As recently as Tuesday of last week I myself had a meeting with representatives of the IAVI on the topic.
I should point out that any such amendments would require careful consideration. In examining them consideration has to be given to such matters as the needs of the profession, the needs of persons who do business with them, the position of the public and, in particular, the interests of persons who would aspire to become members of the profession in the future.
I am continuing my consideration of the proposals for amendments to the Acts before deciding what proposals, if any, I may put to Government for legislation. I do not accept that there has been any undue delay in pursuing the matter.
Would the Minister agree that the Taoiseach gave a very firm commitment, when speaking at the annual dinner of the institute in November 1984, that legislation would be brought forward? Could the Minister give the reasons for the long delay in having this legislation brought forward?
The Deputy came into the House in a rush — his blood is obviously pounding in his ears — so he may not have heard exactly what I said. I quoted from the Taoiseach's speech to the institute on 15 November 1984 when he said, and I repeat, that he hoped that the Minister for Justice:
within the next few months will be able to come to the Government with proposals that reflect the needs of the consumer and that from those proposals legislation will ensue.
The Deputy's contention, therefore, is inaccurate.
Would the Minister accept that 18 months, a year and a half, are different from a few months, and would he give the reasons for such a delay?
I indicated that I do not accept there has been an undue delay.
Can the Minister give a firm commitment that legislation will be brought forward this term?
I am not in the business of giving commitments such as Deputies opposite were engaged in last weekend.
I am delighted that the Minister was looking in.