James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State. It is important I declare my interests. I am an auctioneer and farmer and have extensive experience in the auctioneering business. Auctioneering is a varied and interesting career. The profession has changed dramatically over the past decade. The era when anybody could call himself or herself an auctioneer is long gone. To become an auctioneer nowadays one must have successfully completed a property related course and a period of work experience, even before one can apply to the courts to obtain a licence. As Senator Scanlon stated, the licensing system for auctioneers requires that an application for renewal of one's licence be made each year. When applying to the courts, one must instruct a solicitor to place a public notice in newspapers informing the public of a person or company's intention to acquire a licence. One must also have a security bond and tax clearance certificate and satisfy the court that one has attained the appropriate academic standards to conduct an auctioneering business.