Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 May 2018
125. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the most recent attempt at arbitration in respect of the abandoned town centre, Naas, County Kildare took place; when the process will be reactivated; if a reason has been provided regarding the extraordinary delays in respect of the conclusion of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21575/18]
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 and seven temporary part-time arbitrators available to be nominated to act in cases in which the property arbitrator is unable to act. The Courts Service is satisfied that this is sufficient to meet the demand for services in this area.
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 and therefore is not in a position to provide the detail requested by the Deputy above.
