Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

On the practical issue, I know that many calls have been made to the Department of Finance - although not a huge number - from people who are upset because, when they were purchasing their homes, the stamping instrument went through prior to 8 December. Similarly, there are cases of people who bought their homes on the same date. Some would have effectively put through the statutory instrument prior to 8 December, and some might have done this afterwards, even though the sale might have gone through at the same time, because, I believe, they have to put it through, I believe, within 30 days.

Has the Department quantified the number of people this new provision would affect? I agree with the Minister of State's sentiments to the effect that the situation cannot be so inflexible as to preclude the Department looking at change. Has the cost to the Exchequer been quantified - because I would say the Department of Finance has received a reasonable number of calls in this regard - by amending the date from 8 December to 30 November? I am putting this purely in respect of the family home. I ask the Minister to look at it, as it is a relatively small measure. Does the Minister know how many people it would impact on if the date was to be changed from 8 December to 30 November and what effect would this have on the Exchequer? Some €3,000 or €4,000 or even €10,.000 to an ordinary hard-pressed family is an infinitely higher proportion to that family than the cost to the State. I ask the Minister of State to deal with these practicalities.

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