The leaks from today's Cabinet meeting suggest that the concrete levy will be reduced from 10% to 5% and introduced next September rather than in April. This was clearly a decision made in response to the correct assertions from the Opposition in this House and every expert outside it that the levy would increase the cost of building homes in the midst of a housing and inflationary crisis.

Did the Cabinet seek or receive any advice that a 5% levy would not also increase the cost of building homes? What advice has the Cabinet received that any such increase would impact less in September as opposed to April? Can the Taoiseach also please outline why the Government has not sought to place the cost of the defective block redress on those that are actually responsible rather than on ordinary homebuyers?

To be fair, the Deputy's party put forward the idea very strongly that there should be a concrete levy. Sinn Féin finance spokesperson, Deputy Doherty, in welcoming the budget, did say "I welcome the concrete levy at 10%."

Did the Taoiseach get advice?

He was very clear on that and I am sure that he got very strong advice from his party and its very strong research team on that.

Did the Taoiseach get any advice on the levy and what did it say?

Of course, we have received advice on that and as far as we are concerned, the details of this will be fleshed out.

The honest position, as the Deputy knows and if the party he represents would be equally honest with the public, is that any levy can find its way to the finished price, although not in all circumstances and there is no point in doing Jesuitical stuff and saying if one applies to this or that within an industry. There are amending measures now and what has originally been proposed will be amended and the details of that will be published in the finance Bill.

The Government got no advice.