Madam, - I congratulate Fine Gael on its call for the abolition of stamp duty for first-time buyers. The deposit, solicitor's fees, land registry fees, surveys, etc. are hard enough to afford without having to hand over more money to the Government in taxes. It is already gathering a fortune from top to bottom of the housing market, on everything from VAT on building materials to land registry fees. Mr Cowen has a chance to allow real people to compete with investors (who may have innumerable homes) when bidding for a house. He should use it. - Yours, etc.,
CIARAN EGAN, College Farm Court, Newbridge, Co Kildare.