Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The sooner people who will be 15 years in Opposition realise this, the better. I have always believed that those who underestimate the intelligence of the people will fall by that sword. The Opposition parties threw them a pup and they threw it back at them. The Opposition parties deserve every bit of it.

I want stability. I do not suggest this is the most reforming measure I have ever introduced or will ever introduce in my political career. However, it seeks to bring clarity and certainty with a simple message. All first-time buyers will not pay stamp duty regardless of what sort of house they buy. That message is understood in the marketplace. As I said earlier — Senator Ross was unavoidably absent at the time — I would ask anybody on the Opposition benches to stand up now and tell me in accurate detail what the Fine Gael proposal was anyway.