Mr. John O'Sullivan:

I thank the Senator for her question. I will endeavour to answer it. I presume my colleagues from the Law Society will also put their point of view across.

The key recent initiative has been a certain commitment in Construction 2020, namely, measure No. 73, which mandates the various parties to take the process to the next stage. It reads: "In collaboration with key stakeholders (the legal profession and the banking sector) we [the Government] will review and report on the steps required to deliver a system of eConveyancing in Ireland, including the resource implications and timeframes for delivery." The Government stakeholders will include the Department of Justice and Equality, which I believe will be the lead Department as the responsible body, the PRA and other relevant Departments and stakeholders, for example, the Departments of Finance and the Environment, Community and Local Government and local authorities. The review and the report that will follow from it comprise the key step in addressing the matters that the Senator raised. Therefore, there is a mandate to go to the next stage and examine the situation.

There will be several key considerations. The Senator adverted to some of them.

For example, in terms of legislative implications certain provisions of the Electronic Commerce Act 2000 would have to be implemented. In regard to whether participation would be voluntary or mandatory and so on, issues such as competition, procurement and so on will be looked at as part of the review. I would envisage that the Department of Justice and Equality will lead that review, which appears to be what is mandated under Construction 2020.