Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 484: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on, as an interim measure pending the report of the high level inter-departmental committee on multi-unit developments, imposing a requirement on management companies and management agents to provide clear and immediate information on their operations to the occupants, both collectively and individually, of multi unit developments for which they have undertaken management responsibilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29302/07]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 485: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of times the inter-departmental committee on multi-unit developments, which is chaired by his Department, has met to date; and when the committee will issue it's final report. [29303/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 484 and 485 together.

Following publication of the Law Reform Commission's Consultation Paper on Multi-Unit Developments in December 2006, the Government established a high-level, interdepartmental committee to assist in the development of a coherent and comprehensive response to the broad range of issues arising in relation to multi-unit developments and the governance and operation of property management companies. The Committee has met on seven occasions to date.

A key task of the committee is to identify the legislative and administrative actions to be taken in response to recommendations for legislative reforms which, following a lengthy consultation process, will be set out in the Law Reform Commission's forthcoming Report on Multi-Unit Developments and to determine a timescale for their implementation. The final report of the committee must, therefore, await publication of the Law Reform Commission's Report.

Legislation to establish the Property Services Regulatory Authority to regulate property services providers, including property management agents, is currently being drafted and I intend to publish it as early as possible in the New Year. In the meantime, an Implementation Group has been established to assist and advise on practical matters relating to the establishment of the new Authority and to prepare for the new licensing system. The Group has recently published a Code of Practice for auctioneers and estate agents and is currently preparing a similar Code for property management agents which it expects to introduce next year. The Implementation Group has also compiled and published a Public Register of licensed auctioneers and estate agents which it intends to extend to property management agents in due course.