Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Amendment No. 9, in the names of Deputies Paul Murphy and Richard Boyd Barrett, proposes the deletion of section 8 of the Bill, which provides for the introduction of the help-to-buy scheme. The amendment, when judged against the provisions of the Bill, is restricting a proposed relief and would involve a potential charge and, accordingly, must be ruled out of order.

Amendments Nos. 10 to 12, inclusive, and 14 to 17, inclusive, in the name of Deputy Stephen Donnelly, propose to extend the help-to-buy scheme to those in negative equity as well as those who are currently defined as a first-time purchaser. The effect of this would be an extension of a proposed relief which, consequently, has the potential to impose an additional charge on the Exchequer, as more people would qualify for the proposed tax relief. These amendments would involve a potential charge on the Exchequer and accordingly must be ruled out of order in accordance with Standing Order 179(3).

Amendment No. 13, in the name of Deputy Joan Burton, proposes to restrict the relief available under the help-to-buy scheme by reducing the qualifying period. It would involve a potential charge and accordingly must be ruled out of order in accordance with Standing Order 179(3).

Amendment No. 18, in the name of Deputy Michael McGrath, would require the Minister to prepare and lay before the Oireachtas a report on the cost of delivering a new home and the options available for reducing that cost. The amendment is not relevant to the provisions of the Bill, as read a Second Time, and must be ruled out of order in accordance with Standing Order 154(1).

Amendment No. 19, also in the name of Deputy Michael McGrath, would require the Minister to prepare and lay before the Oireachtas a report on the effectiveness of the activate capital development finance for residential redevelopment schemes under the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund and set out the options for a sustainable finance model for the construction of new residential homes. This matter was not discussed in the Committee Stage debate and, consequently, the amendment does not arise from Committee Stage proceedings and must be ruled out of order.

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