Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to respond to some of the remarks made by Deputy Doherty. Fianna Fáil supports the amendment, which is an improvement on the current position. The property market in Dublin is crazy, with people buying homes of less than 1,500 sq. ft. at prices of up to €500,000, or higher in some cases depending on location. The position is different in Cork, Donegal and other areas outside Dublin but that is the reality of the market in the capital. For this reason, the focus must be on affordability issues and supply. We have tabled an amendment to address the cost of new homes. Deputy Doherty is correct that the Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government made a recommendation on that issue, which I will discuss when we reach the relevant amendment.

On the suggestion that we are seeking to expand the scheme, unfortunately the two key amendments we have tabled on the scheme have been ruled out order, although I intend to discuss them when we debate the section. These amendments relate to what I regard as an inherent unfairness, depending on when a contract is signed and a mortgage drawn down.

Deputy Doherty can characterise that as expanding the scheme, but I suggest that bringing the cap down to a lower level is restricting the scheme. It is not being restricted as far as the Deputy would like, but I argue that the proposals relating to the contract issue and the drawdown of mortgages are quite specific and would cover a relatively small number of cases. I will address them when I talk about the section.