Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Yesterday, it was reported that 250,000 vacant properties are available throughout the country. To what extent do they represent sales in transit? To what extent do they represent properties which are being refurbished following tenancies or awaiting new tenancies? Is there another reason such a large number of properties throughout the country are vacant? Is the figure just being tossed out as an indicator we do not really have a housing crisis because 250,000 properties are available for tenancies?

With regard to the 4.5% interest rate which must be paid for capital costs for purchasing, how does a first-time house buyer compete with the witnesses in the market? Does a first-time house buyer have any chance, or is he or she priced out of the market? Are there instances where a first-time house buyer and the Irish Property Owners Association compete in the same market at the same time in the same place? If so, what happens?

I hate to repeat myself-----