Rogue auctioneers targeted

Legislation to establish an independent authority aimed at eradicating unscrupulous practices among estate agents and auctioneers will be published next year, the Minister for Justice Micheal McDowell has said.

Once it is given statutory powers, the National Property Services Regulatory Authority will be able to enforce fines and other sanctions against rogue auctioneers, including the withdrawal of licences to practice.

Mr McDowell had previously said that legislation allowing for the body's establishment would be published this year. However, speaking yesterday at the Annual Conference of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (IPAV) in Adare, Co Limerick, he said it would likely be 2007 before the Bill is published. In the meantime, an Implementation Group has been established to oversee the body's introduction.

A director designate is currently being recruited and accommodation and staffing needs are being identified. The body will be based in Navan, Co Meath. Mr McDowell said the new authority would meet two key principles identified by a Review Group which reviewed all aspects of the sector last year: the need to protect consumers and allowing the continued dynamic operation of the market.

"The new authority will work to achieve these two potentially conflicting objectives and it is above all the recognition that an efficient system of regulation is good for the market and good for customers that has convinced the Government to put the necessary new structures and processes in place," Mr McDowell said.