Hildegarde Naughton (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Given the recent surge in the property market, I propose to raise the issue of gazumping - where a vendor accepts a higher offer for a property after a sale has been agreed. This practice may not be illegal, but it is immoral. As we emerge from the recession, many people in Galway and elsewhere are trying to get their foot on the property ladder, while others are seeking to trade down. People should never be subject to this extremely unfair practice which feeds into the greed that dominated the housing market during the so-called boom. The Property Services Regulatory Authority does not have any statutory function in the matter. I request the Leader to invite the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, to the House to debate this issue. Given the need to build more houses, it is in everyone's interest to have a housing market that operates in an ethical manner.