Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 372: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the plans he has to reform the auctioneering industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29587/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The position is that the Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009, which is currently awaiting Dail Committee Stage, provides for establishment of the Property Services Regulatory Authority to control and supervise providers of property services, including auctioneers, and to improve standards in the provision of those services.

The proposed statutory powers of the new Authority include:

- issuing and renewing licenses for property services providers;

- specifying and enforcing qualification requirements, including levels of education, training and experience, and other requirements such as minimum levels of professional indemnity insurance, for the issue and renewal of licences;

- specifying and enforcing ethical standards to be observed in the provision of property services;

- publishing codes of practice, or approving codes drawn up by other bodies, for the purpose of setting standards for the provision of property services;

- investigating complaints against licensees and imposing a range of sanctions in cases of improper conduct.

The Bill has already been passed by the Seanad and Dáil Committee Stage is scheduled for tomorrow.