John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)

I am not disputing that but I said if one could afford it, it is probably a good time to purchase and people in that position should be encouraged to do so. People often say that house prices will drop but that is a sentiment and in the meantime they are paying rent. However, affordability is now better for first-time buyers due to lower stamp duty, mortgage interest relief and the fall in property prices.

I do not want to avoid the question of inflation which has been an issue of concern. In the budget, the Minister made specific changes in that regard. On budget day, the issue of tobacco tariffs and smoking arose, and we should seek to achieve a consensus on this matter not only in this House but among the social partners also. Many people argue on health grounds that the price of cigarettes should be increased significantly to act as an effective deterrent. However, there is a problem in doing that because cigarettes still form part of the consumer price index so if we increase their price to a deterrent level it would adversely affect the inflation rate. We should examine how our inflation rate is measured and what is in the basket of goods that determines the CPI. That system has been in place for a long time but I am not sure if it is exactly the same as that used in other countries.

Representatives of the Revenue Commissioners are frequent visitors to the Committee of Public Accounts where we have interesting debates on a range of issues. The budget concerns Government expenditure, including social welfare spending. One of the concerns I have as a public representative is that there is still a lack of joined-up thinking between the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social and Family Affairs. People still attend my constituency office who are paying tax but are in receipt of an inappropriate social welfare payment. I would like to see an automated system whereby people could not inadvertently accrue significant debts.

I compliment the Minister on the Finance Bill.

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