Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny yesterday refused to say precisely when he would introduce stamp duty reform if elected to government.
However, he gave his strongest indication yet that it could be immediate if he becomes taoiseach after the general election. Asked to clarify what he meant by "immediate priority" on stamp duty reform at the launch of a joint Fine Gael and Labour "Alliance for Change" platform, Mr Kenny said: "Maybe myself and Pat [Rabbitte] might travel back together from the Aras and deal with it as an immediate priority.
"I don't think I can explain what an immediate priority is more clearly than that."
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte confirmed at the launch that the party in its manifesto had set aside a figure to cover the cost of proposed stamp duty reform for the second half of this year.
"One either makes up mind that this has become an unfair tax for families and that these two parties have committed to addressing that, whereas the Government had taken the opposite view until yesterday."
Mr Rabbitte said it is the view of Fine Gael and Labour that reform is necessary and wise and would get movement going in the housing market again, something which is very important as so many people depend on it.
Mr Kenny said that this is an exciting time in Irish politics and the Fine Gael and Labour "Alliance for Change" is the first time in 10 years that the electorate have a real choice for a new government.
"The electorate now have an opportunity to vote on an agreed agenda.
Fine Gael and Labour have laid out agreed programmes in specific areas, an agreed joint platform," he said.
Mr Kenny added the choice is a Government that is limping along, or Fine Gael and Labour as the only parties that have agreed, cohesive and joint programmes in areas such as the economy, health and policing.
Mr Rabbitte said the two parties have come a long way since the Mullingar accord in 2004 when Fine Gael and Labour first agreed a pre-election pact.
"For the first time the two parties are now confronted with the real prospect of being in government in three weeks time," said. Mr Rabbitte added there is "great disenchantment and great disillusionment" that the fruits of prosperity have not been used in the best way possible.
While people have become accustomed to a more affluent society they can't get hospital beds, more gardai on the beat or places in schools.
Mr Rabbitte described "the array" of Ministers at the Fianna Fail manifesto launch as a "ghostly backdrop to a Shakespearean drama".
The Irish Labour Party, he said, is in the mainstream of European democracy and it is an old-fashioned view that the only way to demonstrate your commitment to social democracy is compelling Irish taxpayers to pay more money than is required to fund the public services of the State.
Mr Kenny said implementation of Fine Gael and Labour promises was dependent on getting into government. He added that the pact between Fine Gael and Labour would extend to every constituency where there are candidates from both parties.
He said Fine Gael is asking its candidates and supporters to vote for the party and then Labour. He added that a reciprocal arrangement will apply where Labour is concerned.