Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas don Aire Stáit and the Department for all the work they have done to bring this important legislation forward. Along with my colleagues, Senators Boyhan and Cummins, I have the privilege of serving on the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The committee is expertly supported and assisted in its work by its fabulous administrative staff. I pay tribute to them and to all those who engaged with the committee.

The committee had very strong engagement on the Bill. Obviously, we are supportive of the legislation. It deals with the organisation of Government and State activities relating to land, such as registration, transactions and valuations. One cannot think of Irish history without thinking about land. It is intrinsic to our history, culture and psyche. Through the centuries, land has divided and united us. In a very pedestrian and ordinary way, this legislation speaks to that tradition. I say it is pedestrian and ordinary because it is legislation that provides for a Government office to fulfil the daily functions of recording, registering, valuing, cataloguing and keeping accurate records in respect of land and the changes that can take place in terms of its ownership and composition. It is important. The values of efficiency, accountability, transparency and service to the public the legislation seeks not just to establish but to champion are values we support and they should have the support of every Member of the House. This legislation will provide for the public an organisation that will operate in a professional capacity to the highest of professional standards, and the highest standards of accountability, transparency and efficiency, to manage and ensure the sustainable management of our lands and properties. It is very welcome. It is probably a long time coming but it reflects a new departure for us as a country and creates an opportunity for a more sustainable management of properties and lands into the future. It could also build confidence among the public around ongoing management into the future. It is robust and comprehensive in the structure and operations it outlines. It ensures a smooth transition from those legacy organisations into a modern, future-proofed organisation. I am hopeful and confident that it will include all that institutional knowledge, legacy and experience, value it and bring it forward in a modern structure to deliver into the future.

I commend the Minister of State and the Department on the legislation. I offer our continued support for it.