David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Whether unwittingly, the Minister of State appeared to give the impression that people should be very grateful that the amount would only be 5% of the overall value. As opposed to what - 100%? In the context of the overall value, 5% is an enormous amount. For the overwhelming majority, buying a home is their major investment and they pay for it for most of their working lives. Now they are supposed to be grateful that the call made on them at the end of the day will only be 5%, which is a vast amount of money. Let those involved take 100% because it is all moonshine.

Will the Minister of State reply to my query about heritage houses, etc.? Someone very kindly drew my attention to the fact that what was proposed was being referred to as the "David Norris tax break" in a vulgar newspaper which I refuse to read. The person in question used a tongs to hold up the offending publication in order that I might read the relevant article from a distance. The matter in question relates to the position in Waterford and Limerick. I am delighted for these cities, but the principal core of Georgian houses is to be found in Dublin. That fact is not mentioned in the context of the tax incentive. Is it possible for the Minister of State to indicate where it will come into play? Will it be extended to other cities? The incentive only relates to what will happen in the future. Those who have already invested and completed the very hard work of restoration, year by year and on very modest incomes, are not included.