Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Jun 1998

Vol. 493 No. 3

Written Answers. - Registration of Title.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

391 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the long delays experienced by farmers in having property deals with the Land Commission registered at the Land Registry; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that delays of up to 20 years have been experienced in these transactions; if he will put in place a mechanism to have all outstanding transactions completed within a specific timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15987/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I am advised by the registrar of titles that, having regard to the volume of cases awaiting attention in the Land Registry, it is the policy to accord priority to dealings where registration is effected only on completion of the dealing. I am further informed that Land Commission vesting orders and schedules are deemed to be registered as of the date of vesting which is prior to the date of lodgment of the documents in the Land Registry. Accordingly, registration in the Land Registry of Land Commission cases is afforded a lower priority than the registration of other dealings.

Where a specific need arises which requires that such registration be effected, e.g., a further transaction affecting the land in question, the Land Registry processes the Land Commission case without delay.

The Land Registry makes every effort to expedite cases where it can be established that special circumstances of urgency exist. Such cases are considered if details of the reasons for urgency such as payment of grants etc. are submitted to the registrar.