Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

Is the Tánaiste aware that the data relating to housing starts suggest that they are 30% down on their peak? Commentators for Davy have indicated that this could lead to housing completions falling from 95,000 to 65,000. Do I infer from the Tánaiste's reply that he sees such a fall-off in housing activity as having no impact on tax revenue? Has he considered the likely impact of such a fall in housing construction on employment in the sector? Davy suggests that as many as 28,000 jobs could be lost in the construction sector as a result of the decline in activity. Does the Tánaiste believe that Exchequer revenue will be immune to this decline or is he of the view that the data relating to housing starts are wrong?

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