Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

It will be released on this day in six weeks.

On the stamp duty issue, I appreciate the constructive comments made by Deputy Boyle and others and I am sure all of them will be considered. Stamp duty applies to a range of property and other transactions, as Deputy Sargent knows. These include residential and commercial transactions and also share dealings and bank levies.

The yield from stamp duty last year was in the region of €2.7 billion. The source of revenue makes a significant contribution to investment in public services, including health care and education. There is no stamp duty chargeable on owner-occupiers of new houses with a floor area less than 125 sq. m. First-time owner-occupiers are treated more favourably owing to changes the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, made some years ago. When it comes to purchasing second-hand properties, they are exempt from stamp duty on houses worth up to €317,500 and they benefit from reduced rates on houses worth up to €635,000.

Approximately one third of all stamp duty comes from residential property — that is all. Recent comments, while not made by Deputy Sargent, imply that it all comes from residential property.

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