Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

These amendments are important and relate to the establishment of the Registration of Deeds and Title Rules Committee under section 44. Following the decision to establish the Property Registration Authority, consultations took place between the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Land Registry to examine the provisions under section 26 of the Bill and the existing rules provisions in section 126 of the Registration of Title Act 1964. Amendments Nos. 52 and 63 are the result of those discussions. The provisions now contained within section 26 and the amended section 126 relate to those areas in which it is considered that the rules committee should have a general rule making power. Any of the powers previously contained within the provisions, which are of a primarily administrative nature and are considered to be properly the responsibility of the authority, have been removed from the relevant sections.

The other amendments are in the names of Opposition Members and I can deal with them in anticipation or wait to hear the Senators' views.