Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Any proposals concerning the rates, structure and impact of stamp duty are a matter for the budget. I have acted already in several respects to reduce the burden of stamp duty on low value properties and on first-time buyers. New houses are generally exempt from stamp duty. Considerations of equity within the stamp duty code must be balanced by requirements for equity in the overall tax system. It is a question of ensuring that a fair share of taxation is paid all round.

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