Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 363: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans in relation to malpractices by an estate agent and if he will work with other Departments on this matter. [30018/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The licensing of estate agents is currently a matter for the courts and, therefore, is more appropriate to my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

However, I am aware that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform published the report of the auctioneering-estate agency review group on 18 October 2005. My Department was represented on this review group. The Government recently approved the report of the group and, following a recommendation in the group's report, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has announced that he intends to establish, on an interim basis, a new regulatory authority for the sector. Accordingly, all allegations of malpractice by estate agents will, in future, be a matter for the new regulatory authority.