Noel Grealish (Galway West, Progressive Democrats)
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Question 690: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he has taken to address the practise of stage payments, which can make it more difficult or more expensive to purchase a home, especially outside the Dublin region; the status of the formal and structured consultation process on this issue announced in 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30759/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I am concerned to ensure that house purchasers are not adversely affected by any practices that might make it more difficult or expensive to access a home in certain circumstances. My Department has been considering the practice of stage payments with a view to clarifying the issues involved and identifying likely implications of possible options, including potential legislative action, and has been in communication with a number of interests in that context.

The land and conveyancing Bill 2005 being considered by Government contains a provision that would enable certain consumer protection issues, including stage payments, relating to conveyancing practice, to be the subject of regulations by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. This provides a possible mechanism for implementation of any options that arise out of the consultation process on which I have embarked.