Reform of Consumer Law
The Government has pledged to address the “inherently unbalanced” relationship between consumers and businesses through a “major overhaul” of legislation to be rolled out next year, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton has announced. Among the key elements of the overhaul of consumer law will be a prohibition on sellers charging payment […]
Defects in Building Control Regulations
Building control in Ireland relies on “self-certification” by architects, engineers, surveyors or builders that new buildings comply with statutory requirements – a light-touch regulatory regime introduced in 1990 by then minister for the environment Pádraig Flynn. “Primary responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the building regulations rests with the designers, builders and owners of […]
Ex-attorney Generals oppose Constitutional Amendment
Eight former attorneys general have come out in opposition to the proposed amendments to the Constitution on judicial pay and on the setting up of Oireachtas inquiries. The amendments will be put to the electorate on Thursday next, along with the ballot in the presidential election. In an unprecedented intervention, which is likely to cause […]
New Drink-Driving Limits come into Effect at Midnight
Lower drink-driving limits come into effect from midnight, reducing the maximum blood-alcohol level to 20mg per 100ml of blood in some cases. The changes, which bring Irish law into line with European levels, will see the current limit of 80mg drop to 50mg for most drivers. Under the regime, professional drivers, learner drivers and those […]
Corrib Gas Legal Actions Against State Withdrawn
Legal actions brought by An Taisce and others over the manner in which consents were granted for the Corrib gas project have been settled and withdrawn at the High Court after an 11 day-hearing. The costs of the actions are expected to exceed €1 million. The settlement includes an agreement by the State to properly […]
Study Highlights Need for ‘Living Will’ Legislation
The need for legislation in Ireland to recognise and enforce advance-care directives, or “living wills”, has been highlighted by a new study. An advance-care directive is a statement about the type and extent of medical or surgical care a person wants at the end of their life if they are too ill or not in […]
Family Mediation Service and Legal Aid Board to be integrated
Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has announced the formal integration of the Family Mediation Service into the Legal Aid Board. This follows a successful pilot project launched last year in Dolphin House, Dublin, where the mediation service was offered in the same premises as the District Court which hears family law cases. The Legal Aid […]
No Right to View Previous Social Welfare Decisions of Appeal Officers
Jama -v- Minister for Social Protection Neutral citation (2011) IEHC 379. High Court Judgment was delivered on October 11th, 2011, by Mr Justice John Hedigan. Judgment There is no obligation on the Department for Social Protection to maintain an anonymised database of decisions of appeals officers, available for examination by members of the public, in […]
Insolvency and the New Debt Relief Provisions
The Debt relief plan as proposed and discussed in todays Irish Times makes for interesting reading, especially for those trapped by debt. These reforms are long overdue when one considers Irelands Victorian regime for dealing with Debt. We cannot espouse the principles of a modern entrepreneurial economy which is by its very nature one that rewards risk […]
Selling a House in Ireland-Conveyancing Tips
One way to speed up the sale of your house and help your Solicitor considerably is to get him the title Deeds as soon as possible. If they are at home then get them into him pronto for safekeeping and so he can start drafting the contracts. If they are at the bank, as is […]
