Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 March 2006
366 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the excessive and unwarranted delay in bringing forward legislation to provide for the abolition of ground rents; if his attention has been drawn to the hardship this delay is causing; when this legislation will be brought forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11625/06]
View answerAs I have stated previously, publication of a Bill to abolish ground rents is subject to the resolution of possible constitutional and practical difficulties. The constitutional difficulties are related to the respective rights of ground rent tenants and landlords while the practical difficulties concern land law generally and in particular the land registration system. The area is one in which there has been a High Court challenge to the constitutionality of certain provisions of the existing ground rents legislation. The High Court's ruling in that case is awaited and will be examined in due course. The Deputy will be aware that the Land Registry continues to operate, at low cost, a statutory scheme for the acquisition of the fee simple by the owners of dwelling houses.
