Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 655: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the national property services regulatory authority; if a site has been acquired in Navan; if a director has been appointed; if and when recruitment will take place for support staff positions; when the authority will be fully operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14574/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The formal establishment of the new national property services regulatory authority must await the enactment of the necessary legislation. The Government's legislative programme provides for the publication of a Bill to establish the new authority in early 2007.

In the meantime, an implementation group is in place and working to assist and advise on preparations for the new authority. Acquisition of suitable premises is being progressed through the Office of Public Works. A competition for the appointment of the director of the national property services regulatory authority was advertised recently by the Public Appointments Service with a closing date of 23 March 2006. The Public Appointments Service is in the process of finalising arrangements for the interview board to sit and it is anticipated that interviews will be held in the near future. The staffing arrangements for the office will be reviewed with the director once he or she has been appointed.