Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would not like to try to buy something for €225,000 in the area in which Senator Boyhan lives. Senator Conway-Walsh quoted a figure of €375,000. A person might buy something very small in Dún Laoghaire for that amount but then again, he or she might not. I accept that the figures quoted by the Senator are above the average but 15,000 people have benefited from this. I support first-time buyers, which is why we are extending the scheme. I disagree with the Senator's logic. Again, it goes back to an ideology.Senator Conway-Walsh's ideology is incorrect. Somebody who is in County Dublin should be entitled to this as well as somebody living a long way from the city centre, from the capital or from the county who has the benefit of buying a house for a much lower price. One could buy a house in my constituency for much less than €375,000 but one will not buy a new build there for much less than €275,000.