Finian McGrath
Question:363 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans in relation to malpractices by an estate agent and if he will work with other Departments on this matter. [30018/05]
View answerTuesday, 25 October 2005
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Written answers
The licensing of estate agents is currently a matter for the courts and, therefore, is more appropriate to my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
However, I am aware that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform published the report of the auctioneering-estate agency review group on 18 October 2005. My Department was represented on this review group. The Government recently approved the report of the group and, following a recommendation in the group's report, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has announced that he intends to establish, on an interim basis, a new regulatory authority for the sector. Accordingly, all allegations of malpractice by estate agents will, in future, be a matter for the new regulatory authority.