Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Fourth, I set out what lessons were to be learned based on what we now know. I refer Members to the full speech and ask that they not accept the characterisation Deputy Gilmore places on it.

One of the points I made was that the balance of evidence suggested that the vulnerabilities in the economy could affect the soft landing for the construction industry. I made the point that I was the first Minister for Finance in the past 20 years to do something in regard to property tax based incentives. Those incentives were introduced by predecessors including some from Deputy Gilmore's party.

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