Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The transaction time for commercial properties and all the work that has to be done in that regard is rather long and these projects tend to be big. Given these factors it is still too early to be able to evaluate the effect this measure has had apart from the additional yield it has brought in. I expect that by the time we get to next summer we will be in a position to assess whether it has had the kind of effect on yields and commercial duty pricing that we are keen to see. That would be the appropriate point to make a call on whether the level of stamp duty should be reviewed further. Of course by that point we should be clearer on where we are from the point of view of Brexit.

That, in turn, will feed into decisions I will be able to make.

In summary, by the middle of next year we will be in a position to assess whether this has had the desired effect on yields and price levels. It remains open to me in the Finance Bill 2019 to decide whether I want to change it again.