Chambers of Commerce seeks stamp duty change

The Chambers of Commerce has called on the Minister for Finance Brian Cowen to change the stamp duty regime in the Budget.

The Chambers of Commerce has called on the Minister for Finance Brian Cowen to change the stamp duty regime in the Budget.

Earlier this week Mr Cowen said he did not want to interfere in the property market.

But John Dunne from the Chambers of Commerce said the Minister could allow buyers borrow stamp duty as part of their mortgage.

"Stamp duty represents such a large up-front cost at a time of maximum exposure when you're buying a house," he said.

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"It would be much better to capitalise the cost and then to link it to a mortgage and then pay it back in installments. That does have certain attractions as a model.

"It certainly makes it easier for people to get into the housing market and get up the housing ladder," he said.