asked the Minister for Justice whether the Government intend to abolish ground rents; and, if so, when.

80.

asked the Minister for Justice if he has completed consideration of the report of the Commission on Ground Rents; and when he proposes to introduce legislation as recommended in that report, enabling tenants to buy out ground rents.

I propose, with your approval, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 79 and 80 together.

The Government have approved in principle of the recommendations of the Ground Rents Commission whose report in the matter was published last July. The legislation to implement this decision is now in course of preparation and will provide that both existing and future leaseholders will have a statutory right to purchase the freehold.

I am not yet in a position to say when it will be ready for introduction.