Is the Government, including the Minister for Finance, prepared to insert in the forthcoming finance Bill a provision that would accommodate first-time buyers who have been precluded from availing of enhanced mortgage interest relief, the deadline pertaining to which was 31 December last? The holiday arrangements of the banks basically precluded them from issuing loan cheques after mid-December, resulting in a two-week period, approximately, in which the first-time buyers were precluded from drawing down their loan checks in time to avail of the relief. I understand a significant number of people are affected. They should be accommodated because what has occurred has happened through no fault of their own.

The matter can be considered. The Minister would like to be fair to everybody. It may well be that there could be legal implications associated with the setting of the date. The Minister will consider the question raised during the preparation of the finance Bill.