Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Members for their contributions. I will deal with the issue raised. Some people have accused me of saying things I did not say, but that is not unusual in this House.

I want to make it clear that I never indicated at any stage that this Bill would be the be-all and end-all and that it would bring about major changes. I explained at the outset that we had taken advice from the Attorney General. That advice was that the scheme had operated by way of regulation since 1993 and that it was important that it be put into primary legislation. That is exactly what we are doing. I did not indicate that we were making any major change to the scheme. A number of small changes and adjustments are being made but by and large the operation of the scheme when the legislation is enacted will be similar to the operation of it prior to its enactment. To say the introduction of this legislation will force old people to sell their houses misrepresents the situation.

See this speech in context