Seanad report: Landowners will have the right, under proposed legislation, to seek court orders for access from neighbouring properties.
Initiating the second-stage debate on the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Bill 2006, Minister of State for Justice and Law Reform, Frank Fahey, said provision was being made for a new statutory system to deal with problems which frequently arose in relation to party structures, such as party walls and fences
This is designed to regulate the rights of the neighbouring owners, especially where a dispute occurs over repairs or works where "the buildings are so close that work access from the neighbouring property is needed".
Also yesterday Senator Brian Hayes, Fine Gael leader in the House, asked if the "accident-prone" Minister for Transport intended to take political responsibility for the advice given to local authorities which had led to hundreds of road speeding cases being thrown out of court in Wicklow.
Martin Mansergh (FF): "What is your source?"
Mr Hayes: "Your own paper, Senator."