Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State and the motion. I am delighted that it gave me food for thought. I did not prepare a written contribution to the debate because I wish to speak about my experience in this area. Most auctioneers I know are sincere and do their work magnificently. I have no difficulty with them. However, there is no doubt that there is a perception that some have not performed in recent years to the standard required by the two organisations dealing with the profession.

I have considered the relevant legislation which dates back to 1947 and was updated by the 1973 Act. It has not been tidied up since then. I welcome the recognition in the amendment that a regular review of the auctioneering industry's regulatory framework is desirable. There is no doubt about that since we only have to look during the years of the Celtic tiger at the large number of housing developments. As a county councillor, I became aware of the practice of the phased release of new developments in order to increase the prices. I felt that was not correct.