asked the Minister for the Environment his intentions with regard to ground rent on local authority housing, vested in the local authorities; whether this will be abolished and when.

24.

asked the Minister for the Environment whether ground rents on local authority houses in the Marino-Fairview area of Dublin will be abolished.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 24 together. As indicated by the Minister for Justice in the Dáil on 27th October, a Landlord and Tenant Bill will be introduced shortly to provide for the prohibition of the creation of future ground rents on dwellings. He hopes to have a more comprehensive Bill ready later which will provide for the elimination of existing ground rents on dwellings. The basis on which local authority dwellings generally, including those in Marino-Fairview, could come within the scope of these measures is being examined as a matter of urgency.

Would the Minister accept that the indefinite terms of his reply are a little unsatisfactory and would he give us some indication as to when it is likely we can expect a positive decision with regard to the abolition of existing ground rents? I know ground rents are under review but when may we expect a decision?

A new Landlord and Tenant Bill will be introduced and it would be more appropriate to address that question to the Minister for Justice when that Bill is before the House.

Does the Minister think the first measure will carry suitably through the first four years? Does he anticipate a decision with regard to the abolition of existing ground rents in the near future and, by that, I mean in a year?

In the near future, yes. It is a matter for the Minister for Justice.

What does the Minister think?

It will be within the near future.

Oh, I give up.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Could the Minister tell us approximately or in principle on what basis it is proposed to abolish existing ground rents?

Surely I am the wrong Minister to answer that question.

(Cavan-Monaghan): The Minister is dealing with the question. Apparently any Minister in Government would be the wrong person because the Ministers do not know.

Try them.