Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Minister in respect of the fact that we are putting this system in place when property prices are low. The guidance the Revenue Commissioners will provide will be very helpful to people throughout the country. I am of the view that they will provide better advice than that offered by the previous Leader of the House on 10 April 2008.

He stated:

Now is the right time to buy ... We have a duty to tell first-time house buyers, young couples with no previous experience, that there is unbelievable value in the marketplace today. It will not last forever. It is never the wrong time to do the right thing. I offer the House the benefit of my experience and my opinion which is all any Member can do. I will remind the House, perhaps in 12 or 18 months, when prices have again increased by 25% or 30%, that they were told this by the Leader of the House on this historic day.

I am confident that the Office of the Revenue Commissioners will give better advice than the former Leader of the House.