Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 February 2018
103. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the location of the public property arbitrator has been identified; if it is possible to make contact by phone, letter or email; if its work programme has been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9068/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, when the State compulsorily acquires land for public purposes and there is a dispute between the vendor and the purchaser regarding the amount of compensation which should be paid, the vendor may apply to the Land Values Reference Committee (comprising the Chief Justice, the President of the High Court and the President of the Society of Chartered Surveyors of Ireland) for the appointment of a Property Arbitrator to arbitrate on the amount to be paid. Property Arbitrators are appointed under section 2(1) of the Property Values (Arbitration and Appeals) Act, 1960 by the Land Values Reference Committee and all property arbitrations are required by law to be held in public.
In order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have made enquiries and the Courts Service has informed me that there is currently one full-time property arbitrator, Mr. Michael Neary, whose contact details are publicly available as follows: Michael Neary, Property Arbitrator, 34 Trees Road, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.
The Courts Service has also informed me that Mr. Neary is a designated public official under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 in accordance with section 6(4) of the Act.
Seven temporary part-time arbitrators are available to be nominated to act in cases in which the Property Arbitrator is unable to act.
Neither my Department nor the Courts Service has any function in relation to the work programme of Property Arbitrators who are appointed by the Land Values Reference Committee.
