Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 May 2004
174 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the contention of the Oireachtas All-Party Committee on the Constitution outlined in its ninth progress report that there are no constitutional barriers to the abolition of ground rents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13754/04]
View answerAs indicated in my reply to Question No. 193 of 28 April 2004, the recommendations contained in the Ninth Progress Report of the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution in regard to the issue of ground rents are being taken into account in the context of my proposals for a Bill to abolish ground rents. Progress on that Bill is subject to the resolution of possible constitutional and practical difficulties concerning the respective rights of ground rent tenants and landlords, land law generally and, in particular, the land registration system.
It is noteworthy that the ninth report itself makes clear that, to be constitutional, any legislation abolishing ground rents must provide an adequate system of compensation. The report also adverts to the desirability of a system that would lead to the simplification of conveyancing and the avoidance of lengthy and convoluted titles.
