Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 October 2004
287 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the excessive 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. [26031/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's legislative programme, which was published on 28 September 2004, makes provision for a Bill to abolish ground rents. As I have stated previously, publication of the Bill is subject to the resolution of possible constitutional and practical difficulties. The constitutional difficulties relate to the respective rights of ground rent tenants and landlords while the practical difficulties concern land law generally and the land registration system in particular. I remind the Deputy 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.
