The general election can't be very far away if ministers are out blessing trees. Tomorrow, Noel Dempsey is taking time out to unveil a plaque to mark the planting of a Lebanese cedar tree at the Cosgrave Group's new apartment block, Hampton Square, on the Navan Road. No doubt Joe Cosgrave will use the opportunity to bend the Minister's ear on the need to restore mortgage interest relief to residential investors. While the Government can do little about the decline in fortunes of the IT and high-tech industries, the building trade feels that it can put a halt to the slowdown in the construction industry if it gets its finger out and introduces some form of relief in the December budget. The word on the street is that a committee is already looking at the issue, and that some changes are likely - if not in the budget, then immediately afterwards. However, a little tweak here and there won't necessarily have any significant effect on the new homes market. It will take a full reversal of the Bacon policy to restore confidence and sales.