Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

That leads me to the following point. To achieve the revenue identified in the budget document, there would need to be €9 billion worth of commercial property transactions. It is expected that this level of activity will continue into 2018. Is the Department of the view that it will continue not only in 2018, but in 2019 and 2020? If it is, I am a little worried because I believe there is overheating in the commercial sector. This increase in stamp duty is not about tax increases, rather it is about trying to slow down what is happening in this sector. If what is happening remains constant, then this measure is not having the desired impact. This is not just about the buildings or offices being constructed but the sharp increase in value in commercial property, which was at the core of our banking crisis. For that reason, this is important. Does the Department of Finance expect that level of activity to continue beyond 2018 to 2019 and 2020 and, if so, how does that sit alongside the concerns identified in the tax strategy papers the year before last regarding the need to view this as a policy option to try to cool down what is happening, particularly in the Dublin area?