A draft Land Law and Conveyancing Bill, published yesterday by the Law Reform Commission (LRC), would bring benefits to a very large number of people, according to the Minister for Justice.
He was speaking at the launch of the commission's report containing the draft Bill last night.
He said the Bill, when enacted, would help reduce "the frustrating delays and burdens that often confront those who are trying to buy a family home or sell property".
Michael McDowell said the reform of this area of law has become an urgent priority, and he would bring forward proposals for reform based on the LRC report in the autumn, with a view to publishing the necessary Bill as soon as possible.
He said he supported the thrust of the reforms proposed in the Bill, which would achieve the project of simplifying land and conveyancing law, updating it, and making the conveyancing of property easier and faster.
He said he particularly welcomed the abolition of the antiquated concept of "tenure", imposed by William the Conqueror in England in 1066, which meant that all land was held from the crown.
"The idea that the state, as successor to the crown, holds ultimate title to all land and that no person is entitled to ownership is clearly inappropriate in a democratic republic with a market economy."
He added that reform in the administrative area of land law was already under way with the Registration of Deeds and Title Bill, which has passed through the Seanad.
This updates the law on the registration of deeds and title to land, and provides for the establishment of a property registration authority.