Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It was the Government's intention that, as part of the establishment of the new Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, all land and buildings previously held by the Minister for Finance would transfer to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. To this end, the functions under the State Property Act 1954 were transferred by Statutory Instrument No. 418 of 2011 and property related to these functions was transferred by Statutory Instrument No. 480 of 2011. However, an issue in relation to the transfer of such State property arose following indications from the Chief State Solicitor's office that in the case of certain property transactions there might be some ambiguity as to which Minister held particular State property, in other words, the Minister for Finance or the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. This issue refers to property vested in the Minister for Finance under section 5 of aforementioned State Property Act 1954 and also in relation to property simply deeded to the Minister, for whatever reason, but which is not readily identifiable as connected with the function held. To address these concerns and for the avoidance of doubt and following consultations with the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of Public Works and the Chief State Solicitor, it would be prudent to provide in primary legislation that all land and buildings previously held by the Minister for Finance are transferred to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Accordingly, the amendment provides for such transfer.

Senators will be aware that the Valuation Office is to be merged with the Property Registration Authority and Ordnance Survey Ireland. Depending on the timing of the transfer of functions from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to the Minister for Justice and Equality, I may need to make minor technical amendments to sections in the new Part 12A to change references to "the Minister" to the "Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform", as responsibilities under this Part will not be transferring. I will advise the House on the matter on Report Stage.