Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, I thank the Deputies for their constructive engagement and support for the Bill. The Government supports the aims of the Private Members' Bill. However, as indicated in the other House, it will have to be amended to ensure coherence with existing ground rent legislation and most importantly to ensure the Bills constitutionality.

As I stated earlier, an expert group has examined the provisions of the Bill and has made recommendations to the Minister for Justice and Equality. The Minister has engaged in intensive discussions with the Attorney General to finalise and draft amendments to the Bill, which will achieve the Bill's objectives while ensuring its constitutionality. The Minister will table extensive amendments to the Bill on Committee Stage, the overall objective of which will be to achieve what the Bill sets out to do while reducing the risk of further lengthy and costly legal challenges.

The matters raised by the Bill stem from a particular situation in Carrickmacross but reach all areas of the country. Sometimes new politics is much maligned, but this evening is a great example of what can be achieved with cross-party support on an important issue like this which impacts a great number of people in Carrickmacross. I am delighted we can all work together in a collaborative way to address this long-running matter. I look forward to the successful passage of the Bill which clarifies many issues for those wishing to purchase the fee simple of their property.

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