Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Finance if members of the public can confirm with the Revenue Commissioners if an estate agent or letting agent is licensed as required by the Auctioneers and House Agents Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45612/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that under current legislation, the Auctioneers and House Agents Acts 1947 to 1973, licences are issued to auctioneers and house agents by the Revenue Commissioners. There are currently no provisions in the legislation that allows the Revenue Commissioners release this information to a third party, other than those agreed to by the licence holder. Currently, with the permission of the licence holder, the Revenue Commissioners release information to the Property Services Regulatory Authority for inclusion on their register. While the register comprises the vast majority of licensed Auctioneers/House Agents a very small number requested, in accordance with the Data Protection Acts, that their details be retained by the Revenue Commissioners, for the present, and not be forwarded, to the Authority.

The Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009, which will establish the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA), is currently awaiting Second Stage debate in this House. Once the new legislation is enacted, responsibility for the licensing of Property Services Providers (i.e. Auctioneers/Estate Agents, Letting Agents and Management Agents) will become the responsibility of the PSRA. This legislation also provides for the establishment by the PSRA of a register of persons who are licensed under the Bill to provide property services. The register will be available for inspection free of charge by members of the public at the Authority's office and on its internet website.