211. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if the Government will consider reducing VAT on new builds to 9% and put measures in place to ensure developers do not increase prices even more as a result. [31866/26]

As the Deputy will be aware, it is a longstanding practice of the Minister for Finance not to comment, in advance of the Budget, on any tax matters that might be the subject of Budget decisions.

The deputy should note that it is not possible to ensure that developers will pass any or all of a VAT reduction to the final consumer.