Fines Administration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 January 2017

Tuesday, 17 January 2017

Questions (117)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

117. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the section of the Recovery of Fines Act 2014 which requires the purchaser of a property or borrowers to undertake additional searches on completion of conveyancing transactions is having a damaging effect on the efforts of law professionals to keep costs low in this sector (details supplied); if her attention has been further drawn to the fact that each individual check can cost up to €60; and if she will take the concerns of the law professionals in counties Sligo and Leitrim into consideration on this issue and look to address it in legislation. [41249/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

Section 8 of the Fines (Payment and Recovery) Act 2014 provides for the appointment of a receiver in default of payment of a fine. The receiver has powers, inter alia, to seize and sell property belonging to a fined person in default of payment. There have been no court orders made to date giving effect to the powers in question. I have received no representations relating to the implications of this provision for searches necessary in the context of the conveyancing process. However, I have asked my Department to monitor the implementation of all aspects of the 2014 Act and in this context to have regard to any effect of the said powers to seize and sell property.