Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 10:

In page 11, line 48, after "2009" to insert the following:

"unless it can be shown that the person had occupied the house as their principal private residence in the past 3 years".

The Minister has indicated that he would look at this issue and I accept that it may create considerable difficulty. In the current crisis we are seeing very ordinary people getting into difficulty with loan payments or they are having to rent out their homes. One case was brought to my attention - I am sure it is one of many - where, effectively, under the code if the Minister proceeds as intended, these individuals could not write the interest off against the rental income earned. The Minister indicated they could rent a room and have a tax relief available, which is some relief.

I can understand fully how the Minister would move to act as he is doing in respect of people with large rent books who have enjoyed the reliefs of section 23 and other roll-over reliefs where people could write indefinite amounts off against rental books, as had been the pattern. Smaller operators possibly may be caught up in this. Perhaps there is scope for the development at some point of a de minimis rule that would provide some relief for those affected. I was only trying to make a stab at it through this amendment and I would understand if the Minister claimed I have thrown the net too wide. Is there some way where the needs of people forced into renting out their homes due to financial difficulties could get some relief on this over time? It might need to be developed as an above-the-line measure instead of a tax relief.

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