Eamon Scanlon (Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No.1:

To delete all words after "Seanad Éireann" and substitute the following:

"–notes that the Auctioneers and House Agents Acts 1947 to 1973 provide a regulatory framework for the manner in which auctioneers and house agents must act in the performance of their professional work;

–recognises that the regular review of the adequacy of regulatory legislation is desirable;

–invites the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to arrange for a review of the regulatory framework for the auctioneering industry, including an examination of the need for the introduction of a code of ethics and professional standards for the auctioneering profession."

I am a member of the IPAV. It is a pity that Senator Ross has left, because he said that the auctioneering profession is not regulated. All auctioneers and estate agents have to apply annually to renew their licences. It is open to any member of the public to register an objection to the renewal of that licence, provided he or she can support their grounds for objection. To have one's licence renewed, one must advertise in a local or national newspaper and go before a court of law. Anyone who has reason to object to the granting of that licence can make a case, and the licence may be revoked. It is wrong to say the industry is not regulated. I do not know of any profession in this country which has such regulations applied.