Vol. 290 No. 7
The debate will follow the normal pattern. The Minister of State will have ten minutes, group spokespersons will have eight minutes and all other Senators will have five minutes, and the Minister of State will respond at the end of the debate for up to ten minutes.
We will go from there. The Minister of State is very welcome to the House and we look forward to hearing from him.
On behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, I am happy to have the opportunity to outline before the Seanad the Tailte Éireann Bill 2022. The purpose of the Bill is to provide for the merger of the Valuation Office, the Property Registration Authority, PRA, and Ordnance Survey Ireland, OSI, through the establishment of a new body to be called Tailte Éireann. Tailte Éireann will be a body corporate with perpetual succession and an official seal. It will be independent in the performance of its functions, and those functions will include all those currently undertaken by the Commissioner of Valuation, the Boundary Surveyor, the OSI and the PRA.
The Valuation Office is an independent Government office under the aegis of Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. It is staffed by civil servants and headed by the Commissioner of Valuation. The core business of the organisation is to provide ratepayers and local authorities with accurate up-to-date valuations of commercial and industrial properties. These valuations are integral to the commercial rating system in Ireland and form the basis for a very significant element of local government revenue each year. The Valuation Office also provides a valuation service to Departments and offices, State agencies and other public bodies, and carries out open market capital and rental valuations including valuations for rent reviews for these customers. It is the custodian of an archive of unique records which provide information and insights into the social history of Ireland, covering the period from the mid-1850s to early 1990s. These records provide an invaluable resource for genealogical and historical research.
Ordnance Survey Ireland's main public service function is to create and maintain the definitive mapping records of the State. The work of the OSI is essential to the infrastructural development of Ireland. There is a growing recognition among decision-makers that knowledge and understanding of location is a vital component in effective decision-making. The OSI has developed an industry-leading mapping framework. It enables consistent referencing and integration of data from other sources to a specific location. Knowing where things are and how they relate to each other allows for better analysis, drives efficiencies and encourages the optimum use of resources.
The Property Registration Authority is the State body with responsibility for the Land Registry and Registry of Deeds. Its mission is to safeguard property rights and transactions in Ireland. As custodians of the digital national land register, its function is to provide a system of registration of title to land which is accurate, reliable and readily accessible. The main functions of the PRA are to manage and control the Land Registry and the Registry of Deeds and to promote and extend the registration of ownership of land. It also operates the ground rents purchase scheme under the Landlord and Tenant Acts. These three organisations will merge to form Tailte Éireann.
Tailte Éireann will provide a comprehensive and secure property title registration system, an independent rateable valuation system and authoritative location information and geospatial infrastructure. These are central to the effective management of the property, planning, agriculture, local government, environmental and construction sectors of the State's economy. Tailte Éireann will provide streamlined access to the delivery of enhanced land and geospatial services to Government and other stakeholders and citizens. This will result in more co-ordinated strategic and business planning, evidence-based decision-making and innovative service delivery in line with Government policy. As one organisation, Tailte Éireann will facilitate the integration of data internally across its core functions and externally in partnership with other State organisations. Tailte Éireann will represent an entity more capable of contributing to and influencing policy formulation that supports social and economic development.
I will now elaborate on the provisions of the Bill. This is a relatively short Bill, comprising four Parts, 41 sections and two Schedules. Part 1, covering sections 1 to 5, inclusive, addresses preliminary and general matters. These include the Title, arrangements for bringing the Bill into operation and standard provisions. Part 2, which takes in sections 6 to 26, inclusive, will provide for the establishment of Tailte Éireann. This is the most substantive part and sets out the functions and organisational structure of the organisation, the appointment of a chief executive, the board, staff, preparation of a statement of strategy, annual reporting and other related matters.
The Bill provides that Tailte Éireann will be a body corporate with perpetual succession and an official seal authenticated by the chief executive and the board. It shall have the power to acquire, hold and dispose of land, and shall have the power to sue or be sued in its corporate name. The Bill sets out the general functions of Tailte Éireann, including all functions undertaken by the Commissioner of Valuation, the Chief Boundary Surveyor or a dissolved body, and provides for any such additional functions as conferred by the Minister. Tailte Éireann will be independent in the performance of its functions and the board will be strategic in nature.
Sections 11 to 19, inclusive, set out the provisions for the functions and appointment of a chief executive of Tailte Éireann, and provide for the appointment by the chief executive of such number of persons to be the staff of Tailte Éireann, subject to the approval of the Minister and the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. A competition for the appointment of the first chief executive of Tailte Éireann is open for applications until 8 December through the Public Appointments Service.
The Bill provides that Tailte Éireann may engage consultants or advisers to assist in the performance of its functions and pay their fees. It provides for the disclosure of any beneficial interest by a board member or a committee connected to the board. That interest and its nature must be disclosed to the board for its consideration and to determine the appropriate action to be taken on the matter.
The Bill provides for the preparation of the first strategy statement, the annual report and any other report the Minister may consider appropriate on any particular matter relating to the functions of Tailte Éireann. The Bill provides that a member of the board or a committee of the board, an empowered person, or any adviser or consultant or their staff shall not, unless under exceptional circumstances, disclose confidential information obtained by him or her while performing his or her functions. It provides that the Minister, having consulted the chief executive and with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, may specify by order the fees payable to Tailte Éireann in respect of the performance of its functions. Part 2 of the Bill concludes with section 26, which provides that expenses incurred by Tailte Éireann in the performance of its functions shall be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
Part 3 contains three chapters and takes in sections 27 to 38, inclusive. It provides for the dissolution of bodies and the transfer of functions, legislative references, land, property rights, liabilities, staff, records, and other related matters to Tailte Éireann. Chapter 1 provides for the dissolution of the PRA and OSI on the establishment day of Tailte Éireann. The Bill provides that all functions that were vested in the dissolved bodies, the Commissioner of Valuation and the Boundary Surveyor are transferred to Tailte Éireann on the establishment day and direct that on and after the establishment day references in any enactment other than this Act, or any instrument made under such an enactment to either a dissolved body, the Commissioner of Valuation or the Boundary Surveyor, will be construed as references to Tailte Éireann.
On establishment day lands and other property that were vested in the dissolved bodies, the Commissioner of Valuation or the Boundary Surveyor and all rights, powers and privileges relating to or connected with such lands shall, without any conveyance or assignment, stand vested in Tailte Éireann.
The Bill provides for the transfer to Tailte Éireann of rights and liabilities, and the continuation of leases, licences and permissions granted by a dissolved body, the Commissioner of Valuation or the Boundary Surveyor, and that all liability for loss occurring before establishment day and any legal proceedings pending immediately before the establishment day by a dissolved body, the Commissioner of Valuation or the Boundary Surveyor shall lie against Tailte Éireann. The Bill provides various provisions consequent upon conferral of functions on or transfer of assets and liabilities to Tailte Éireann, and that where an application made to a dissolved body, the Commissioner of Valuation or the Boundary Surveyor before the establishment day, shall, where the application was not determined before the establishment day, be treated as an application made to Tailte Éireann.
Chapter 2 provides for the transfer of staff and their terms and conditions of employment to Tailte Éireann, and provides that the pension payments and other superannuation liabilities of a dissolved body, the Commissioner of Valuation or the Boundary Surveyor shall, on establishment day of Tailte Éireann, become the liabilities of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
Chapter 3 provides that each record held by a dissolved body, the Commissioner of Valuation or the Boundary Surveyor shall, on and after establishment day, stand transferred to and be property of Tailte Éireann and be regarded as being held by Tailte Éireann. The final accounts and final annual report of the dissolved bodies, Commissioner of Valuation, and Boundary Surveyor shall be prepared by Tailte Éireann.
Sections 39 to 41 in Part 4 provide for consequential amendments to other enactments in relation to the establishment of Tailte Éireann and certain valuation-related matters. Schedule 1 provides for the constitution and composition of a board structure for Tailte Éireann and other matters and Schedule 2 provides for references to the provisions of repealed enactments.
No Opposition amendment proposed in the Dáil was accepted. As part of the consideration of the Bill in the Dáil amendments were proposed on the preparation of a report, the establishment of a land price register and the timeline for the valuation of commercial property. Several other proposed amendments were tabled and withdrawn. It is not envisaged at this point to expand the functions of the existing bodies during the merger process. There is already scope in the legislation for the Minister to call for reports. With regard to a timeline for the valuation of commercial property. Section 13 of the Valuation (Amendment) Act 2015 amends section 28(5) of the Valuation Act 2001, which provides for the completion of revision applications within six months of making a valid application.
This section has not yet been commenced. The Valuation Office is mindful of the backlog of revision cases from local authorities and third parties. Measures to address the backlog effectively need to be in place before the amendment to section 28(5) can be commenced. Options to address the backlog continue to be considered and the Valuation Office will continue to engage with my Department to find a way to allow section 28(5) to be commenced and adhered to. Government amendments of a technical nature were agreed to in the Dáil.
In conclusion, this is largely technical legislation primarily designed to establish the merged Tailte Éireann organisation in the most efficient way. Accordingly, there are no significant new policy initiatives contained in the legislation. Rather, in line with similar legislation, the Bill is focused on statutory provisions necessary to bring about the merger of the three existing organisations into the new organisation, the governance of Tailte Éireann when it is established and the carrying out of its functions in future. I am thankful to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage for the detailed pre-legislative scrutiny, PLS, afforded to the general scheme of the Bill in September 2021. I look forward to the contributions of Senators.
To clarify the running order, the understanding from the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight and so on is that when there is a Green Party Minister, the first speaker is an Independent Senator. We will get everyone in very quickly.
I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive statement. As he stated, Tailte Éireann is to be the name of the new body. That is important. There is a need for marketing in that regard. We know it involves a merger of the Property Registration Authority, Ordnance Survey Ireland and the Valuation Office. It is important legislation.
I thank the Oireachtas joint committee for its extensive pre-legislative scrutiny on the Bill, which was acknowledged by the Minister of State. It was a constructive engagement by all members of the committee, as is the case for most of our work on the committee. We work well together.
I will be fully supporting the Bill. I looked back at the debate on the Bill at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage on Thursday, 16 September 2021. I thank Mary Hurley, then assistant secretary at the Department. She is now Secretary General at another Department. Some particularly interesting points were made, especially with regard to issues raised by Deputy Duffy. He raised questions relating to land management. He spoke about the ongoing work of the Land Development Agency, LDA, which I also thought important. I acknowledge the importance of the LDA in terms of its keeping of State lands and its records, mapping and data management. We do not need duplication. Obviously, the LDA is part of this. I take it there will be a greater synergy between these agencies. Tailte Éireann is going to be the lead agency. The LDA has a lot of other work to do, and I acknowledge the importance of its work, but it is about being clever with our resources, energies and expertise. This organisation will be fit for purpose. It has a lot of historical information, which is important. I acknowledge and thank Mary Hurley for the significant amount of work she did on the Bill. One can clearly see from the minutes how she engaged and touched on all that. That is an important point and perhaps the Minister of State will bring it back to the Department.
Another issue raised during pre-legislative scrutiny related to the offices of Ordnance Survey Ireland in the Phoenix Park. I am just commenting on this. There is a very important building there but, more important, within that building there is a very important historical manuscripts record. I have visited the office. For anyone who wants a bit of a history lesson or to find about historical maps and land registries, by golly, it is an education down there. The staff are wonderful. Much of the work is still quite manual and that is exciting in itself. The staff are exceptionally helpful. When I engaged with them, they engaged with me. Having carried out other research in respect of properties out my way in terms of historical context, I found it an eye-opener. As the Minister of State has a significant interest in these matters and heritage falls within the remit of his Department, he should consider what will be done with all that. I presume it will all merge under this body. It is important work and I acknowledge and value it. It is very traditional down there. One might say it has not quite moved with the times. That is not a criticism. There is a great sense of antiquity about the whole place and how it operates. I am mindful that we are moving to a new era, with a new body and way of doing business. We are going to embrace technology and that is all very clever, but I ask the Minister of State, with his particular interest in heritage, to consider what will be done with that building and the expertise of its staff, particularly in the context of continuity. Consideration should also be given to the historical manuscripts and how that dovetails with the National Library of Ireland and other services. That is important.
The Bill makes absolute sense. It is long overdue. Most important is the issue of mapping and how synergies are developed in terms of our understanding of State land resources but also those outside the control of the State. That is important if we are to embrace Housing for All and new housing policies in future and to develop a land management policy, which we have to do anyway. Land presents many opportunities and possibilities and this dovetails with the new organisation to be known as Tailte Éireann. I wish it well.
I acknowledge the work of the Department in preparing the Bill. It has been a long process. I also acknowledge the interactive website that is already in place for Tailte Éireann. I visited the website yesterday and one can see from it that the Property Registration Authority, Ordnance Survey Ireland and the Valuation Office are already in transition, before the legislation is signed off. That is important. It is clear they are preparing and that is to be commended. I acknowledge their support but, in particular, I recognise the work and drive of the Department in respect of the legislation. I wish it well.
Gabhaim buíochas don Aire Stáit and the Department for all the work they have done to bring this important legislation forward. Along with my colleagues, Senators Boyhan and Cummins, I have the privilege of serving on the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The committee is expertly supported and assisted in its work by its fabulous administrative staff. I pay tribute to them and to all those who engaged with the committee.
The committee had very strong engagement on the Bill. Obviously, we are supportive of the legislation. It deals with the organisation of Government and State activities relating to land, such as registration, transactions and valuations. One cannot think of Irish history without thinking about land. It is intrinsic to our history, culture and psyche. Through the centuries, land has divided and united us. In a very pedestrian and ordinary way, this legislation speaks to that tradition. I say it is pedestrian and ordinary because it is legislation that provides for a Government office to fulfil the daily functions of recording, registering, valuing, cataloguing and keeping accurate records in respect of land and the changes that can take place in terms of its ownership and composition. It is important. The values of efficiency, accountability, transparency and service to the public the legislation seeks not just to establish but to champion are values we support and they should have the support of every Member of the House.
This legislation will provide for the public an organisation that will operate in a professional capacity to the highest of professional standards, and the highest standards of accountability, transparency and efficiency, to manage and ensure the sustainable management of our lands and properties. It is very welcome. It is probably a long time coming but it reflects a new departure for us as a country and creates an opportunity for a more sustainable management of properties and lands into the future. It could also build confidence among the public around ongoing management into the future. It is robust and comprehensive in the structure and operations it outlines. It ensures a smooth transition from those legacy organisations into a modern, future-proofed organisation. I am hopeful and confident that it will include all that institutional knowledge, legacy and experience, value it and bring it forward in a modern structure to deliver into the future.
I commend the Minister of State and the Department on the legislation. I offer our continued support for it.
I thank the Minister of State for bringing forward what is probably the least controversial legislation there possibly could be. To be frank and honest, this is important legislation. It brings together three very important organisations that already have great synergies. It makes sense to combine them into one new agency, Tailte Éireann.
As we know, the Valuation Office provides ratepayers and local authorities with up-to-date and accurate valuations, which are essential for the proper functioning of local government. All local authorities throughout the country are in the process of drawing up their budgets at present and having an accurate commercial rates base is very important for them. I will make one point in that context. There is often a delay in valuation and when it comes into effect for local authorities, which can have a significant impact on the rate base available to them. If a business sets up and it takes six or nine months for the valuation to occur, and if that happens to fall in January or February, for example, the rates cannot be levied until the following calendar year, which means the loss of a rates base from a local authority perspective. It is an issue that was always a bone of contention for me during my 11 years in local government. It would be remiss of me not to flag it when given the opportunity in the context of this legislation.
OSI's function is to maintain accurate mapping records of the State. As somebody who studied the teaching of geography and physical education in the University of Limerick, mapping and the understanding of mapping is something I am very familiar with. It has been mainstreamed over the past number of years, not least because of the readily available tools we all have through our web browsers. In order to properly plan our infrastructure, housing and all the various services, it is vitally important that we have accurate mapping tools with cutting-edge technology built into that. I certainly hope to see that develop even further in the time ahead, as I am sure staff in the new Tailte Éireann will also welcome.
The third element is the PRA, which is responsible for the land registry and the Register of Deeds. One of its buildings is located in the city in which I live, Waterford. The other two offices - I stand to be corrected - are in Roscommon and Dublin. The staff in my county, as I am sure is the case across all areas, do a tremendous job in keeping that accurate record. It is only when issues arise or disputes are raised that we realise the importance of having such an accurate register in place. All three organisations provide an essential function in their own right but combined with existing synergies, especially in the mapping space, it will be a very robust organisation going forward.
The only disappointing element in this is that it has not happened sooner. As a Government representative, I have to acknowledge the delays that have been present in bringing this legislation to this point. We conducted significant pre-legislative scrutiny in September 2021. The delays are certainly not confined to the period of this Seanad term. They stretch back further than that but we are where we are. This is a good day. The legislation has gone through all Stages in the Dáil. I am sure it will get a good hearing in this House. I look forward to the legislation being finalised in short order.
Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I am taking this item on behalf of my colleague, Senator Warfield, who is unavailable. He sends his apologies. As the Minister of State knows, we very often stand in the Chamber to discuss matters relating to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. It is normally to criticise failed policy and inaction on the part of this or previous Governments but, as Senator Cummins rightly noted, this is generally non-contentious legislation. Today marks a welcome change. I am sure the Minister of State will be glad to hear that.
I have some observations, however, that I would like to raise with the Minister of State on Second Stage. Ten years after the initiation of the review of this potential merger commenced, the Government has finally brought forward this proposed legislation, which is largely welcome. Nonetheless, given how long we have waited for this very important legislation, it is crucial that we now give it the full consideration and scrutiny that is required. This is a vital opportunity to ensure we have the robust legislative scaffolding necessary to support a comprehensive land management policy and strategy into the future.
I am disappointed that we have not taken the opportunity thus far to provide for a live, real-time, land transaction register. Given that such a register already exists with regard to house transactions, there is no constitutional reason, in my view, such a register could not also be created for land transactions. It is currently virtually impossible to know what the actual price of land is at any given time. A live, real-time, land transaction register would provide real-time information on land prices. Such information is particularly crucial in the context of residential development land values.
I urge the Minister of State to have consideration for the wider purpose of this Bill, namely, to assist in the provision of a modern, comprehensive service that will provide accurate, reliable and readily available information. Such a service is vital to provide certainty to all and to promote non-judicial resolution of disputes in this area. However, the ability to provide such a service is somewhat hindered by the occasionally inaccurate information on the land registry. It is my understanding that such inaccuracies are, through no lack of diligence on the part of the hard-working individuals who undertake such work, a consequence of the transfer of records from paper to digital format. If we are to provide the service envisioned in the mission statement, it is vital that we have a clear understanding of what did and did not go right with this digital transfer process. I therefore ask the Minister of State to consider ensuring the Bill contains a built-in early review mechanism, which would allow Tailte Éireann to undertake such work.
I would like the Minister of State to consider our recommendation with regard to the relocation of the Property Services Regulatory Authority, PSRA.
As my colleague, Deputy Ó Broin, stated in the Dáil, while not within the gift of the Minister of State, this would be the opportune time for the Department of Justice to relinquish control of the PSRA. Relocating the PSRA to Tailte Éireann would give impetus to the much-needed reform of the authority. Despite its key function in our housing market, the PSRA is something of a toothless tiger. It does not have a strong legislative underpinning or enforcement powers and only has a voluntary code of conduct. Such reform is particularly urgent in light of the increase in home transactions and purchases.
Sinn Féin supports the Bill. I urge the Minister of State to consider my proposals and ensure we have the robust, legislative scaffolding required to support a comprehensive land management policy and strategy into the future.
I welcome the Bill and commend those involved in the work to date, including on committees. This is common-sense legislation to modernise all areas in regard to lands. I have always had a fascination with maps, particularly historical maps, and I enjoy using the satellite imagery on Google Maps, which is accessible on our phones. Such maps provide a detailed and accurate image of where we are and where we came from. I recently came across pre-Famine maps from 1842. Whatever about the authorities at the time, they were not able to feed the people but they were able to map the country. Tremendous work was done without modern tools such as satellites. It is a wonderful resource available to people all over the country. It shows the households and structures at the time, which in my area of Connemara was before the railway was constructed. While one cannot see the railway, one can see the old cottages and the population of rural areas at the time. It is a fascinating resource.
On the work of Tailte Éireann, will there be a role for the Land Commission records? The issue of their publication has been raised and they are a valuable resource. Some records may not be palatable to some people because there was agitation among small households. There were stories of a recently widowed lady being told by the locals that she would not be able to run the farm and they agitated to have that land removed from her ownership. There are people who are very aware of such stories. Some of these records may not be palatable but it is still a record of our history.
Another issue is that of mapping errors that occurred during the transfer of hard-copy records to digital format. This can create problems in the transfer of sites, which I have come across, and they can take some time to sort out.
When I was in the Department, in its previous incarnation, work was ongoing on the national monuments Bill. I believe the Bill was published before pre-legislation scrutiny was undertaken, so I am not sure at what stage the Bill is. Where land is transferred or sold, I raised the issue at the time that it should be a requirement that the new owner be notified that an archaeological feature is present on the land in question. Some features may be hidden under scrub and the new owner may not have seen them. An opportunity to inform the new owner of a feature, which owners are required to protect by law, should be included.
National Parks and Wildlife Service maps are available to some extent. Could they be part of the package in relation to availability of designated areas, lest there be any confusion with boundaries of special areas of conservation, SACs, natural heritage areas, NHAs, and special protection areas?
These are a few points about which there could be greater engagement by Tailte Éireann and other sectors. The body's name means "lands of Ireland" and I welcome the use of Irish. Cuirim fáilte roimh úsáid na Gaeilge d’ainm na heagraíochta nua seo. It would be beneficial if there were a one-stop shop for all land resources.
I will address points raised by Senators during the debate as well as the PLS recommendations.
I thank Senators Boyhan and Fitzpatrick, as well as other members of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, which is an excellent committee. Our interaction with the committee has been fantastic. There is no doubt it has been very busy in recent years. We appreciate the continued, active participation of the committee's officials, Chair and members in what has been a hectic schedule over the past two and a half years or so. I will pass on Senator Boyhan's regards to Mary Hurley about her involvement.
The points made by Deputy Duffy during the PLS process, the issue of duplication and the need for greater synergy were raised by Senator Boyhan. That is what this process is all about. I will address that in response to Senator Kyne's contribution on improving and streamlining information, which is essential.
I would like to visit the Ordnance Survey of Ireland office in the Phoenix Park at some stage. Its role is critically important. Archivists are of the view that physical records are far more significant than digitisation. To respond to the point raised by Senator Kyne in that regard, those manuscripts are important assets of the State. I would like to visit the OSI office to see those records.
Senator Fitzpatrick spoke about Tailte Éireann being a new departure. We all agree this is long overdue and I agree with her that it will build confidence among the public.
I take on board Senator Cummins's point on the loss of a rates base. This is a technical Bill on the establishment of Tailte Éireann, but those points need consideration. On the planning of infrastructure and the big challenge we face with nature restoration and development of the country, the interaction of this mapping information will be vital to us over the next decade and beyond. I acknowledge the Senator's comments about the Property Registration Authority in Waterford and the staff there.
I will take on board Senator Ó Donnghaile's points about accuracy and reliable information. The issue with the PSRA does not fall under the remit of this Bill but I note his comments. I also note issues raised by Senator Kyne. All Senators have made similar points. The national monuments Bill is progressing well and we should see it early next year.
With regard to Land Commission records and National Parks and Wildlife Service maps relating to SACs, NHAs and registered monuments, it is critically important that there is information sharing in respect of these mapping data. They are informing our spatial planning as well as our land use planning and mapping. Interaction regarding these records is very important. The Senators made valuable points and I thank them for raising these issues.
I will address the recommendations made by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing Local Government and Heritage during the PLS process. The committee recommended that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage engage with the Department of Justice to consider integrating the Property Services Regulatory Authority with Tailte Éireann, and this matter has also been raised today. The primary role of the PSRA is to regulate property service providers, namely, auctioneers, estate agents, letting agents and property management agents. The functions of the PSRA were not considered to be sufficiently closely aligned with the functions of the bodies identified in Tailte Éireann, those being the registration of deeds, titles, State surveying, and the evaluation of rateable property.
The joint committee further recommended that "Tailte Éireann be given, as one of its statutory functions, responsibility for maintaining a publicly accessible, searchable, electronic register of land transactions that would include the price, location, size, zoning, date of sale and ownership details." This new register would operate on a similar basis to the existing residential property price register. The supply of housing is inextricably linked with the supply of land and its capacity for development.
Under Housing for All, the Government's housing plan to 2030, my Department is committed to evidence-informed policy development and will continue to improve data availability and analysis.
The Government has recently published its first annual update of the plan's actions which sets out how the Government is responding to changed circumstances and ensuring that focus remains on delivery. Under action 24.2 of the progress report, the Government has committed to developing a national zoned housing land register based on local authority development plans including the potential housing yield capacity which can form part of the basis for the associated calculation of land use values required for land value sharing measures with a target delivery timeframe of quarter 1 of 2023. This is considered an appropriate mechanism for dealing with the issues the proposal seeks to address.
With regard to the appointment process for the chief executive and the board, the chief executive will be appointed by the Minister following an open competition through the Public Appointments Service, PAS, and in accordance with the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004. A competition is under way through the PAS for the role of chief executive of Taillte Éireann. With regard to the board of Taillte Éireann, it is intended the board membership will consist of a chairperson and six ordinary members who will be appointed by the Minister following an open competition through the PAS and in line with the code of practice for the governance of State bodies.
The Bill provides that the Minister may, where he or she considers it necessary having regard to the volume of business coming before Taillte Éireann and the need to ensure the effective and efficient discharge by Taillte Éireann of its functions, by order, increase the number of members of the board to not more than 12 for such a period as the Minister shall specify, up to a maximum period of two years. There is no provision in the Bill for certain nominees to the board. This is a broad understanding of how Taillte Éireann has a single-entity focus on the production and maintenance of core reference data focused on land ownership and value which will deliver benefits to the State. The provision of high-quality, reliable, trusted and maintained geospatial information is essential to a wide range of critical State functions, from environmental planning and management to the effective administration of property and land use.
Streamlining services into one entity with its own Vote of expenditure and headed by a single chief executive and board will allow Taillte Éireann to efficiently take advantage of the national geospatial data of GeoHive which has been developed by OSI and will be able to combine and integrate the wealth of authoritative land information held by the Property Registration Authority, Valuation Office Ireland, OSI and other public bodies to provide citizens, business and policymakers with new land information for products and services. It will provide a single point of access for land and property information and related services such as property and title information, property valuation data, maps and aerial imagery.
The establishment of Taillte Éireann will also provide for a less crowded administrative landscape. A project board has been put in place under the chairmanship of my Department to oversee the successful establishment of Taillte Éireann. When established, Taillte Éireann will be staffed by more than 900 civil servants and a wide variety of quality-management and technical skills and experience. This was referenced by Senators. Development is under way by the Commissioners of Public Works on the distillers building in Smithfield which will act as a Civil Service Government accommodation hub and provide office accommodation for the Dublin-based staff of Taillte Éireann.
In the beginning, I outlined the provisions of this Bill, which is focused on the merging of three bodies and the establishment of Taillte Éireann. This is largely technical legislation which was primarily designed to establish the merged Taillte Éireann organisation in the most efficient way. Accordingly, no other significant policy initiatives are contained within this legislation. Rather, in line with similar legislation, the Bill is focused on the statutory provisions necessary to bring about the merger of the three existing organisations into the new Taillte Éireann organisation, the governance of the new organisation when it is established and the carrying out of its functions into the future. I hope the Bill continues to receive the support of the House. I thank the Senators for their very positive contributions and input this afternoon. I also thank the Oireachtas committee and all other participants in this debate and our officials in the Department. I look forward to further consideration of the Bill's provision on Committee Stage.
When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?
Next Tuesday.
Is that agreed? Agreed.
