Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 29 May 1990

Vol. 399 No. 3

Written Answers. - Ground Rents.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

113 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a firm of solicitors (details supplied) recently dispatched thousands of demands, bearing a Manchester postmark, to residents in Dublin and Waterford threatening that failure to pay the ground rent arrears has resulted in possession proceedings being commenced against the property and that the proceedings could only be stopped on receipt of the full amount of rent owed by return of post; and if, having regard to section 27 of the Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rent) (No. 2) Act, 1978, he proposes to take any action, directly or indirectly, against the solicitors; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Burke)

I have no statutory function in relation to the conduct of solicitors, which is a matter for the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland. The Registrar's Committee of the Law Society deals with complaints against solicitors. I understand that ACRA has taken up the matter of the demand notices, referred to in the question, with the Law Society.

Also, machinery exists under section 7 of the Solicitors Act, 1960, whereby any person, including the Law Society, may apply to a statutory disciplinary committee appointed by the President of the High Court, for an inquiry into the conduct of a solicitor on the ground of alleged misconduct.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

114 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice if he will make a provision for a referendum to be held, in conjunction with the Presidential Election, to provide for an amendment to the Constitution so that legislation could be enacted to provide for the termination of ground rents; and if he would make a statement on the matter.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

115 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice if he has received representations from ACRA regarding a ground rent referendum 1990; and his views on whether legislation should be introduced subject to a constitutional amendment for the abolition of grounds rents; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Burke)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 115 together. I presume what the Deputy is referring to is a referendum on the abolition of ground rents without compensation about which representations have been received. The Government have no plans for legislation to enable such a referendum to take place.