Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)

If the Government was serious that the plan announced last December was its policy, these amendments would fall on 31 December 2007 but that will not happen. The Minister of State has not explained what is involved. People are confused because, according to last December's announcement, the State will take 5% of the value of the family home but, according to the amendment, the State will treat 5% of the value of the house as income until the new plan kicks in on 1 January 2008. I can see how people outside the House might be confused. The Minister of State is introducing a three-year rule. The theory underlying the amendment is that the provision will apply for three years. The aim of the amendment should be for the subvention scheme as we know it to fall on 31 December 2007. That would indicate the Government is serious about what it announced last December. This appears to suggest the Government is not sure what it will do on 1 January 2008 and that an opt-out clause is provided for the Government, if it is in power.

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