Neale Richmond says call to double stamp duty on vulture funds 'is not electioneering'

Junior finance minister defended the suggestion despite the Government's rejection of such a plan earlier this year

On RTÉ's 'This Week', junior finance minister Neale Richmond said: 'I don’t know how wanting to deliver more homes to be owned by Irish people will cause friction.' Picture: Chris Bellew/Fennell's

A Fine Gael junior minister has denied that his call for increased stamp duty on vulture funds is electioneering, despite the government rejecting such plan earlier this year.

Neale Richmond, the junior finance minister, said he wants the measure to be introduced in the upcoming budget. However, he said that if Finance Minister Jack Chambers does not proceed with the plan, his priority will be to include it in Fine Gael's upcoming general election manifesto.