Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the opinion expressed by a person (details supplied) that second homes should be subjected to a specific tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24470/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I have no plans to introduce a tax on second homes. If any such proposal were to be made it would be necessary to consider the possible impact not only on the demand for such houses but also on the supply of new residences and on employment and output in the construction sector generally. The history of taxation intervention in the residential property market over the past ten years has shown that it is much easier to get the balance wrong than it is to get the balance right in terms of output, prices and employment.