Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 299: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will support a matter (details supplied). [47089/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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A legal challenge to the constitutionality of certain provisions of existing ground rents legislation was heard in the High Court during 2005. The High Court's judgment upholding the constitutionality of the legislation was delivered in early 2006 but it has since been appealed to the Supreme Court. While operation of the law in relation to ground rents continues to be reviewed in my Department, there are no proposals for changes pending the outcome of the appeal that I have mentioned.

It should be noted that the law already provides a statutory scheme for the acquisition of the fee simple in dwellinghouses which is set out in the Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) (No. 2) Act 1978. Part III of that Act makes provision for a streamlined procedure, operated by the Property Registration Authority, whereby a person may acquire the fee simple in their dwellinghouse.