Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I emphasise that there will be annual reports to the Dáil and the Seanad. That will give Members of the Oireachtas an opportunity to evaluate and debate the progress of the new authority. They will be able to bring people into the committee structure as well. I do not doubt that they will avail of such an opportunity. I will have a look at the timeframes again in advance of Report Stage. We have considered them carefully. As I have said, this is not a independent regulatory body with hundreds of staff. It is a small and efficient body that will be charged with dealing with significant issues. We have to be careful not to overwhelm it in its initial stages.

I remind Senator Barrett that the evidence from the research into the new approach to conveyancing in England is that the new approach has not taken off to any significant degree. I think that is an interesting point for us to contemplate. There seems to be a reluctance among the general public to make the kind of move that has been allowed for in England. We want the consultation to be done here. We want to move on it. The experience in England is an interesting marker because it shows that after the change was made, the take-up was apparently very small. There may be different reasons pertaining in the UK compared to here. I am just putting this point into the debate, for what it is worth.