Michael Kennedy (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)

The social welfare package is generous and affirms Fianna Fáil as the party of the people. It proves that the Taoiseach is the real, and perhaps only, socialist in the Dáil, other than the Acting Chairman, Deputy O'Connor. I welcome the overall package and the €14 and €12 increases to our senior citizens and people with disabilities. We have made great steps on the qualified adult allowance and this is particularly welcome. A couple will receive an increase of €41 per week and there are 42,000 such couples countrywide.

I am delighted we have reduced the stamp duty rate. I made many representations on this. Deputy Cowen was consistent and said he would do this when the time was right. The cooling of the housing market has given us the opportunity to reduce stamp duty rates. That has been broadly acceptable among the public and the building trade. For the benefit of the Opposition I point out that the Fianna Fáil manifesto——

See this speech in context