Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

The greatest difficulty with the Bill is plotting the Dublin area against non-Dublin areas. The Minister of State is from County Kildare and does not need a lecture from me. Carlow belongs more in the greater Dublin area than in the south east. Our colleagues in Waterford could not give a damn about us except when it suits them to include us in the south east. Otherwise we are completely ignored.

I am not sure what the solution is but people could live in a house worth €1 million while living in poverty. Does the Minister of State recommend people sell their houses to raise cash? People can find themselves asset rich but cash poor. In every county property prices are higher in urban areas than rural areas. Perhaps it is foolish to refer to a fixed amount. Why not insert an index-linked figure? Although €365,000 may seem a large amount today, by 2010 it could be obsolete. An index-linked figure keeps pace with reality rather than going out of date. Will the Minister of State be forced to return, making new regulations annually? Is the €10,400 linked to the annual amount of the State pension?