Madam, – John O’Connor (July 15th) states he would, “of course”, expect estate agents would oppose transparency in property transactions via the creation of a national property transaction database.
The Irish Auctioneers Valuers Institute (IAVI) runs honours degree and higher certificate programmes that are mandatory for entry to IAVI, but not to practise under current legislation. Properly qualified agents recognise that total transparency is the only way to create the informed property market that Government policy rightly espouses, but which the Irish interpretation of EU confidentiality laws prevents under the Data Protection Act.
On June 9th, 2008, the IAVI organised a meeting with the theme “Towards a More Informed Property Market” to examine the need for such a database. It was attended by representatives of three government departments, political parties, appropriate regulators, consumer interests and professional bodies. There, the IAVI representatives strongly championed the creation of a transparent and complete database for property transactions and a consensus of support for same emerged among those attending.
Since the review of the Programme for Government, the creation of such a database is now Government policy. It is reasonable to suggest that the IAVI, representing qualified estate agents and valuers, played a major part in bringing that welcome development about. Mr O’Connor has judged a book by its cover. Unfortunately, he will never be alone in doing so. – Yours, etc,