asked the Minister for Local Government the extent to which private house building will be curtailed if the Irish building societies are now allowed to compete with their English counterparts and the Irish banks in relation to rates of interest.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Building Societies Interest Rates.
61.
It is not possible to quantify the effects of such competition on the inflow of funds to the Irish building societies or on the private house-building programme.
May I ask the Minister whether a statement recently by a member of the building societies association that there is likely to be a reduction in rates is likely to be correct or whether it is just speculation?
I am not aware of anything other than what I saw in the paper, just like Deputy Lemass.
Are discussions pending?
No, not with my Department anyway.
Are discussions with the Government pending?
No.
Is there any change in the point of view on income tax?
That would be a separate question. There are no discussions. This matter has not been discussed. I am as surprised as the Deputy was with the report.
Were there no discussions about a 10 per cent rate?
The only thing I know is what I saw in the newspapers.
Mention was made of discussions with the Government.
It must be some other Government.
It could be before long.
The wish is father to the thought.