Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 266: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether the land register should be reformed to record all interests in property and that all property should be mapped using the best available technology; his further views on whether this information should be fully transparent and publicly available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45043/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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On the first point, the question of whether the land register should be reformed to record all interests in property, is essentially a matter of legislative policy. The issue has been the subject of consideration for some time by a number of interested parties and it is generally accepted that the registration of such rights would be in keeping with moves towards electronic conveyancing.

The proposal would require a repeal and/or considerable recasting of Section 72 of the Registration of Title Act 1964 which sets out in detail the burdens which can affect land, the title to which is registered in the Land Registry, without the registration of those burdens. I am of the view that such a step would require substantial planning and careful review because of the expense which it might cause to affected parties to quantify and register the rights in question.

Secondly on the question of whether all property should be mapped using the best available technology, I understand that the Digital Mapping Project, currently underway in the Property Registration Authority, uses the latest technologies and the highest standards which were recommended by an international consortium of expert consultants in such systems engaged to advise on the project. The most up-to-date Ordnance Survey Ireland maps, from its Irish Transverse Mercator (ITM) projection, are now being used as a backdrop to the Land Registry maps and these are fully GPS compatible for surveying purposes.

I can inform the Deputy that the boundaries of all registered parcels in 15 counties are now available online at the Property Registration Authority's website at www.landdirect.ie and the remaining counties will be released thereon on an incremental basis between now and the completion of the project in 2010. The Digital Mapping system is considered to be a world leader and the system has received several national and international awards.

Finally, with regard to the question of whether this information should be fully transparent and publicly available, the Deputy will be aware that all information on the registers is made available publicly, by payment of the prescribed fee, at public counters, through the post, and by way of internet services to subscribers on www.landdirect.ie. In addition, map related information is available free of charge.