Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

I have another commitment at that time but Senator Dardis has agreed to be present in the House. Recognising the serious nature of the stamp duty relief for first-time buyers I telephoned the Taoiseach's office this morning. The officials I spoke to were very alert to it and find it extremely strange - as do we all - that Revenue would seek to frustrate the Government's stated policy as evidenced in the last Finance Act. That is how the matter is being treated in the Taoiseach's Department. It is not for Revenue to frustrate the Government's stated policy.

The Taoiseach's office and the office of the Minister for Finance are in discussion on the matter. Nothing definite was agreed as the word "may" was used. The Government sought to do something about the abolition of the first-time buyer's grant through this mechanism. We have already spoken to the Taoiseach's Department on the matter and I hope something positive will emerge.