Charlie McCreevy (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

I mentioned during the debate on the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003 that when Senator McDowell was a Member of the Lower House, he said he enjoyed reading the tax strategy group's documents because he then knew what I would not do. I accept that the Senator and I differ in relation to the first-time buyer's grant which was not introduced as a sop to house buyers but as a means of reinvigorating the building industry which was on its knees at the time. It encouraged demand, brought people back into the housing market and helped the building industry. I agree with economists who suggest that it has been built into the price of houses and trousered by builders for a considerable time. It has been difficult to abolish it, as it has been with every other scheme. It is not easy to explain to individuals who thought they would be able to spend €3,800 on new carpets or curtains that they will benefit to a similar extent over a period of time.