Seanad debates

Tuesday, 3 July 2007

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage.

 

4:00 pm

Photo of Joe O'TooleJoe O'Toole (Independent)

I welcome the Minister to the House and I welcome this legislation. I believe the Minister has done a good job.

While I agree with much of what is contained in the Bill, I must take up Senator Ross's final point. I do not mind facing a howling crowd or facing down an argument. However, what I find most difficult to deal with is a telephone call on a Sunday afternoon from an elderly lady in the west of Ireland, with whom I have never met, telling me she voted for me and that I have let her down.

I received a heartfelt letter from a Mr. Ciarán Doyle — I am sure he sent a copy of it to the Minister — which states: "I listened to Minister Brian Cowen in his budget speech and I believed him and I acted on that basis." I believe the Minister was telling the truth at the time. I am not for one moment suggesting he misled the House. On that basis he and his partner did a deal on a house in January and concluded it in the middle of March, thereby missing out on €25,000 by two weeks. Such things happen.

However, this man and his partner acted on the Minister's statement. No matter what date is set on any issue, there will always be somebody on the wrong side of the line. This issue is slightly different in that the people in question acted on the basis of what the Minister said and on the basis of the budget. I am aware that circumstances alter cases, that political exigencies take over and other decisions must be taken. I ask the Minister, however, to give some comfort to the people who lost out by putting their trust and confidence in the Minister's word. It is an important issue for the Minister. I know he would consider it to be so. The man in question and his partner will be paying the guts of €2,000 per month on their house for the next 30 or 35 years and €25,000 would mean a lot to them. I ask the Minister, therefore, to consider what I propose in the amendment I have tabled for the next Stage, which is also included in some of the other amendments, and to backdate this measure to 1 January, the beginning of the tax year, in line with his, the Minister's, commitment. It is not unfair to ask this. I wish the Minister well with the legislation. It is important this is being done because it moves matters forward.

Would it possible to divide the remainder of my time between Senators Quinn and Norris?

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.