Whip gets a lashing
He seems to take umbrage at solicitors charging 1% on the purchase of new homes. He claims that the 1% conveyance fee is a substantial cost on homes.
That's a bit rich coming from the deputy chief whip of a Government which levies 21% VAT on conveyance fees, 13.5% VAT on new homes and up to 9% stamp duty on home purchases.
Mr Kelleher says customers should shop around for the best deal. That is a also bit rich coming from the deputy chief whip of a Government which can impose any charges it likes by fiat.
The fact is that spiraling house prices can be blamed on the inaction of the Government, its fondness for political donations from the construction industry and its parasitic attachment to stealth taxes.
If Mr Kelleher is really interested in giving homebuyers a better deal he should direct his attention to the real source of hidden charges the Minister for Finance.
Lawyers will always be soft targets for comedians and populist politicians. But solicitors doing conveyancing are not in the same category as the fat-cat barristers who have been enriched by tribunals established by the Government of which Mr Kelleher is a member.
He may or may not know that in Britain the VAT rate is 17.5%; there is no VAT on new homes and the highest rate of stamp duty is a mere 4%.
I look forward to the budget and hearing what, if anything, Mr Kelleher will do for hard-pressed homebuyers here.
Jason FitzHarris,
Rivervalley,
Swords,
Co Dublin.
