Seanad debates
Wednesday, 28 May 2003
Auctioneering Profession: Motion.
It is a condition of the codes of conduct of both the IAVI and the IAPV that members act properly and in compliance with the law in all instances. While both bodies would not be opposed to a requirement that every property should have a guide price, it will not necessarily sell at that price and there could be pitfalls if it becomes mandatory. The bodies would be opposed to legislation which compelled vendors to sell once a bid above the guide price had been received. If this became law, vendors would, in effect, choose guide prices which far exceeded any conceivable price to ensure they could not undersell. The effect of this on property prices would unquestionably be inflationary. It would also significantly reduce the number of properties coming on the market. Furthermore, such a practice would tend to mitigate against auctions, the most transparent form of sale. Transparency is, apparently, what the Senators are seeking, to which I have no objection. I could tell the House some interesting stories, which I told to Senators O'Toole and Ross yesterday, about what can occur.
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