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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Law Reform Commission Report.

Builders’ liability law reform

Summary

O’Keeffe asked whether the Minister would legislate on builders’ and vendors’ liability. Collins clarified that the Commission’s document was a working paper, not a final report, and said he would await its final views; he assured O’Keeffe that action would follow.

Jim O'Keeffe Mr. O'Keeffe Fine Gael

asked the Minister for Justice if he intends to introduce a Bill on the liability of builders and vendors as recommended in the First Report of the Law Reform Commission; if so, when; and, if not, why.

Comment on this

The Deputy is not correct in referring to the Law Reform Commission's document on builders' liability as a report and in stating that the commission have recommended the introduction of a Bill. The document is a working paper and expressly states that it is circulated for comment and criticism and does not represent the final views of the commission.

That aspect apart, I would refer the Deputy to my answer to Question No. 31 on 27 April 1978 in which I dealt generally with the question of the announcement of legislative proposals.

Comment on this
Jim O'Keeffe Mr. O'Keeffe Fine Gael

Arising out of the Minister's reply and accepting the correction that it is a working paper rather than a report, do I take it that the attitude of the Minister in relation to the working paper in question is to do nothing?

Comment on this

No, the Deputy may not.

Comment on this
Jim O'Keeffe Mr. O'Keeffe Fine Gael

If that is not the intention of the Minister, may I ask him what he intends doing in relation to the working paper?

Comment on this

I refer the Deputy to the answer which I have given, that is, that the document in question is a working paper. It was expressly stated that it was circulated for comment and criticism and that that working document does not represent the final views of the commission. It is a document inviting comment and criticism. When the commission have these comments and criticisms they will present a final paper.

Comment on this
Jim O'Keeffe Mr. O'Keeffe Fine Gael

May I take it that, pending such comments, criticisms and a final report, the Minister intends to do nothing?

Comment on this

The Minister will wait until the commission are in a position to present their final views on this matter.

Comment on this
Jim O'Keeffe Mr. O'Keeffe Fine Gael

May I take it that some action will be taken, even if it is delayed until after the final report?

Comment on this

The Deputy can be so assured.

Comment on this