Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

The Minister will be aware of the fact that it is some months now since the appropriate legislation passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas. It was my expectation and that of the members of the public who have an interest in the matter that the appointment would have taken place smartly. What is the reason for the delay? I cannot understand how it could take almost a year to conclude the matter. It should be a relatively straightforward endeavour having regard to the planning that was undertaken. It was my assumption that in accordance with the legislation significant planning was undertaken by the Department and that once the legislation was passed it would be implemented. The situation is all the more important given the high number of complaints against members of the legal profession that are being made on a regular basis, especially in regard to property transactions that might have unravelled in the context of the change in valuations of property and people wishing to disengage from property deals, the consequences of which are all too stark for themselves and their finances.

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