Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is a tax rate which stood for most of our recent history at 9% before going to 6% and then down to 2%, where it has remained for the past number of years. I assure the Deputy that when I made the decision, I was fully aware, as with any decision, of all of the consequences of what I was putting to the Dáil on budget night. I accept that it causes difficulty, concern and increased cost for people, but at 2% the rate was unsustainably low. If we cannot use periods like the present to change rates like this, the tax base will continue to be too narrow. That is why this decision has been made. It is my understanding that the Sinn Féin budget proposal included a proposed change to stamp duty on commercial property. The party was proposing what we did on budget day.

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