Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I have said the names have been published in the press and that I will not name them here in the House. As legislators, we must address the issue. If not resolved, the matter could slow down the process of purchase, denying people the opportunity to deal in the way in which they have dealt in the past, whereby their solicitor would give an undertaking to the financial institution concerned to allow the process to go ahead. Money was always drawn down on that basis, but that trust has broken down, which is unfortunate.

We are tidying up hundreds of pieces of legislation dealing with land registration and ownership, including various titles from the days of landlord and tenant. While I may identify more with rural rather than urban Ireland, I do not mean to do so because there are even more complicated issues in urban settings which will require considerable teasing out. The legislation introduced by the Minister is to be welcomed. In many ways it is overdue. It shows that we will now be in a position as a modern nation not to feel, as was the case, that many of our ownership arrangements indicated subservience to the Crown. That is not the case today, although it may be regarding some urban properties. I hope the legislation will be passed. I understand there is, rightly, broad agreement among the parties in the House. I also hope when the legislation is enacted the necessary support will be provided to implement its provisions. This will be a costly exercise and the staff of the Land Registry will face a significant workload as a result. They should have the necessary back-up to implement the new changes and to ensure the legislation is in place to upgrade existing arrangements and to facilitate those who seek new titles for properties they purchase. I commend the legislation to the House and I thank the Chair for the opportunity to contribute.

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