Statement: Senator Bacik Welcomes Regulation of Auctioneers and Property Services

STATEMENT BY SENATOR IVANA BACIK

Labour Spokesperson for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
Thursday 3rd June 2010

BACIK WELCOMES REGULATION OF AUCTIONEERS AND PROPERTY SERVICES

Speaking today in the Seanad during the Report stage of the Property Services (Regulation) Bill, Senator Ivana Bacik welcomed the passage of the Bill, saying:

“This long overdue Bill will finally provide necessary protections for consumers by creating a proper legal framework for the largely unregulated area of property services. In particular, it will ensure certain minimum standards of scrutiny and accountability are applied to those engaged in the provision of property services, like auctioneers and estate agents.”

Welcoming the Minister's acceptance of a key amendment put down by the Labour Party at Report stage, Senator Bacik also said:

“The Labour amendment to section 10 will ensure that no more than three members of the 11-member Property Services Regulatory Authority can be drawn from the ranks of estate agents and auctioneers. This important amendment, which the Minister has today accepted, will significantly strengthen the independence of the Authority and will greatly increase the level of protection for consumers offered by this legislation.

However, I am sorry that the Minister did not accept another key amendment that I proposed, to ensure that at least three representatives of consumer interests would be included on the Authority. I hope that he will consider including this change to the bill when it gets to the Dail.”

ENDS