Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 Feb 1991

Vol. 404 No. 6

Written Answers. - Operations of State Registeries.

Michael Bell

Question:

24 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Justice if a review of present staffing structures in the Land Registry has taken place; if so, whether the proposed structures will give recognition to the technological expertise in the Land Registry; if the specialist technical area will receive the resources it needs to clear arrears and bring mapping information to the necessary high standards of accuracy, efficiency and accessibility to the public; if he will outline the time scale for the setting up of the semi-State agency for the Land Registry; if he will further outline the role staff interests will have in this process; whether full consultations on the implementation of the Price Waterhouse report on the future of the Land Registry and any other proposals made by him for the new State agency will take place with staff interests; if he will further outline the assurances he can give to staff regarding their tenure of office in the new agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Michael Bell

Question:

69 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Justice his views on whether (1) the existing technology in the Land Registry is unsuitable and inadequate for modern requirements and (2) that the technology introduced by successful efficient/service oriented Land Registeries is a mapping based Geographic Information System; if he will outline the type of new technology being provided; if he has any plans for the introduction of qualifications for the setting of mapping standards; and if he will further outline his views on whether the current Land Registry mapping procedures are not designed to secure accuracy.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Burke)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 69 together.

Following my appointment as Minister for Justice I initiated a review of the operation of the Land Registry and the Registry of Deeds. I did this because I was aware that delays in the registeries, in particular the Land Registry were a source of continued complaint from members of the public and of the legal profession.

I decided to commission a firm of management consultants to prepare a strategic plan for the organisation and use of information technology in the registeries. The consultants' report was presented to me within the past week.

My review of the registeries further led me to the conclusion that in order to bring the services up to the standard to which the public are entitled, it would be necessary to free the registeries from the staffing and financial constraints that apply within conventional Civil Service structures. I sought and got Government approval for the re-constitution of the Land Registry and the Registry of Deeds as a semi-State body. I have set up a working group to assist me in the preparation of the legislation, to identify the cause of the problems existing in the registeries and to advise me on the best methods of tackling these problems in the context of the new body. I shall now study the consultants proposal in detail and shall await the recommendations of the working group before deciding on the final shape and structure of the new body.

Staff and other interest groups will be consulted in the appropriate manner in the lead up to the establishment of the semi-State body.