JUNE 3rd looks like becoming the deadline for a vote on whether there is to be a merger between the two main professional bodies in the property industry.

Before then the councils of the Society of Chartered Surveyors (SCS) and the Irish Auctioneers Valuers Institute (IAVI) must vote in favour of the amalgamation which will affect around 4,500 members of both organisations.

The plan is to hold extraordinary general meetings of both bodies on the same day.

All the indications are that the link up will proceed without much bother because of a need to pool dwindling resources in order to provide stronger representation for a troubled industry.

Both organisations have had to cope with much reduced subscriptions over the past two years because of the collapse of the property market and the cessation of most building activities. Both bodies have been running extensive educational programmes for their members and, once the merger goes through, all of them will have equal status.

A merger would inevitably lead to a reduction in staff numbers in both organisations and the emergence of a single chief executive.

The SCS is currently headed by charismatic businesswoman Ciara Murphy (left), while the IAVI is led by Alan Cooke who has held the post for about 20 years.