Ahern rejects rift claims over stamp duty reform
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today insisted reports of a rift in the coalition Government over the Progressive Democrats’ proposed stamp duty reforms were ridiculous.
Dismissing suggestions the Fianna Fail/PD partnership was in meltdown, Mr Ahern said the Cabinet’s only concern was preparing for the December Budget.
He said plans to shelve or cut the controversial tax on house buyers could only be considered for budgets in 2008 and the following years.
“I saw some ridiculous headline in some ridiculous paper this morning about meltdown, you would think of a better headline on a wet day, blow down or something would be more appropriate, but nothing to do with the Government,” he said.
The PDs revealed they were assessing the possibility of getting rid of stamp duty at their annual think-in in Malahide on Monday. Tánaiste Michael McDowell claimed the €2.6bn raised through the scheme was not needed.
Mr Ahern said the proposal should only be seen in the context of the PDs’ autumn conference.
“What we’re concerned about now is the Budget in two months time. Yesterday’s Cabinet and most of the meetings for the next few weeks is preparation for the book of estimates and preparing for the Budget in December and making sure we get the national plan finished,” he said.
“Then we can look into the future, but for this Budget it is a different agenda.”
Mr Ahern also revealed the Tánaiste did not discuss the proposal with him before publicising it, but he added that he would not expect him to.
“No politician I would expect to clear with me their policy agenda for the future,” the Taoiseach said.
