Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I hear exactly what Mr. Redmond says. I do not disagree with it. I wholeheartedly agree that if one has more means, one pays more. That is a fundamental tenet of the scheme, and should be a fundamental tenet of the scheme, but I vehemently oppose the fact that if one has a single asset that one pays three times for it. Let me make it clear to Mr. Redmond. The Department is drafting the legislation at the moment. I do not know what the formulation of the House will be when this legislation goes through, but whoever the Minister of the day is bringing this primary legislation through the House, he or she will not be in a position to defend a situation where one pays three times for a single asset. That is inequitable. It is unconstitutional. It is unfair. I urge the Department to reconsider exactly what I have said while the legislation is being drafted to ensure that it provides the equity we all believe should be part of the scheme.