Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will continue on the issue of 100% redress. The Minister was not at the meeting of the joint committee that day but, certainly, the officials to whom he is now speaking were there when we were repeatedly told that it was not going to be 100% redress simply because of inflation if nothing else. There has been considerable price inflation in the period since the prices for which this scheme is based were drawn up. I have asked the following question many times; I am still waiting for an answer. The Minister is free to answer it whenever he chooses to do so. How does allowing people to downsize cost more money? The amount of money they are going to get is set out. How does allowing them to downsize cost more money? Deputy Pringle and I tabled an amendment on this matter, but it was ruled out of order on the basis that it would involve a cost to the Exchequer. We both accept that we cannot introduce legislation that would involve a cost to the Exchequer, although neither of us accepts that this particular amendment would actually involve any cost to the Exchequer. Could the Minister or the officials to whom he is speaking so earnestly please outline how it costs the Exchequer more money if people are allowed to downsize?

The Minister has curtailed the debate and the Bill will be guillotined. Will he tell us how it will cost more money if a person downsizes? It is a very simple question. It is not for me. Thankfully, I do not have a home that is affected by pyrite but I know people who do. They will not be able to build a house the same size because the money the Government is going to give them will not allow them to build a house of the same size. They are pensioners with their mortgage paid off. They are not going to get another mortgage. People do not give pensioners mortgages in the real world. As a result, they will not be able to avail of the scheme unless they can downsize. Can the Minister please tell me how it costs more money to allow people to downsize?

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