County registrar repossessions
Senator Mulherin and then Senator Burke disputed Norris’s claims about county registrars, court procedures and premiums, insisting the system was being misrepresented. The Chair repeatedly intervened to control the exchange.
Senator Michelle Mulherin can make her point, but I am making mine and I have been well briefed by a constituent on the issue.
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I am just telling the Senator that it is inaccurate.
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I am seeking a debate in order that my friend and colleague can make her point, as I will make mine very forcefully. People are hurting because of this procedure. Cases are being adjudicated on by county registrars, many of whom do not have familiarity with this area of the law and they do not always adhere to Circuit Court rules either. That is the evidence I have been given. In most counties, except Dublin and Cork, the county registrar is also the sheriff. They receive a 7.5% premium in making the judgments. There is, therefore, an obvious conflict of interest. If one stands to gain financially from a decision against a family in a property case, of course, there is a conflict of interest. Therefore, the Act needs to be reviewed. It has been in operation since 2013 and we should now look at it in the light of the case history. All I am asking for is an examination in order that those who take a different view can express it. I have been briefed very strongly on the issue. Anything that can be done to alleviate the position of people who find themselves in these difficulties should be done.
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I will leave the Leader to answer that question, but I will just say-----
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When cases come before the country registrar, it means that everyone involved has consented to it happening.