John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have great respect for Senator Boyhan but I am surprised at his contribution. I am not suggesting he was attempting to mislead the House in his contribution but the figure of €450,000 relates to the ceilings for the shared equity scheme. What we are actually discussing here, in this section, is the local authority affordable purchase scheme. Thus, any references to or utterances about that figure have no bearing on the section we are actually discussing. He might consider that in his reply.

The amendment, as written, says that for someone to qualify under this measure, they will have to fall within the bottom 40%. What the Government is actually saying, in terms of the drafting of the legislation, is that a person will have to get his or her maximum possible mortgage and if he or she cannot meet 90% of the mortgage, he or she will qualify under the scheme. It may be the case that a person is within the bottom 42% and absolutely needs the affordable purchase scheme. By putting in an amendment like this, we would exclude people rather than include them.It is for that reason I could not support the amendment.