Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. When was the review completed? He said he hoped to bring proposals forward soon. I have heard that for three or four years. I mean no disrespect to the current Government, but the word "soon" is one of the most misused words in the House. Can the Minister of State tell me whether "soon" is before Christmas, before Easter or before this time next year?

Can the Minister of State tell me how has the Department decided that a pensioner who can put cash on a table to buy a house would be unable to subsequently pay for the insurance and maintenance of that house? There are people, in particular in rural areas, who are living in council houses built on their land who can buy a house because they have worked hard all of their lives. They cannot buy houses because of the rules. Can the Minister of State explain what is the logic in believing that someone who can buy a house for cash would not be able to maintain and insure it?

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