Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

On the same issue, there appears to be an element of confusion with regard to responsibility and the nature of the legislation. I ask that the Government Whip produce a memorandum because it appears that of the three Departments involved, one is taking responsibility for dealing with the issues raised by Deputy Burton. The Taoiseach has stated consistently that the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has responsibility for the Property Services Regulatory Authority Bill which deals specifically and, I believe, exclusively, with the regulation of the auctioneers and estate agents profession, an entirely different matter from that raised by Deputy Burton. The Taoiseach now appears to indicate that composite legislation will be introduced by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to deal with management companies, which is more of an environment-consumer-enterprise issue and needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

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