No change to stamp duty policy, says Cowen

A PLEDGE from coalition partners the PDs to abolish stamp duty for first time buyers was slapped down by Finance Minister Brian Cowen last night.

Mr Cowen pointedly said the move was not Government policy agreed between Fianna Fáil and their junior partners when the December Budget was hammered out three months ago.

Mr Cowen added he hoped Tánaiste Michael McDowell’s promise to voters would not rock the property market.