Whip gets a lashing

FIANNA FÁIL TD and deputy Government chief whip Billy Kelleher recently asked solicitors to be up-front about conveyance fees.

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.