Ahern's speech:Taoiseach Bertie Ahern yesterday denied that Fianna Fáil had done a "U-turn" by announcing reform of stamp duty, saying it had always said it would not make commitments "way out" from an election campaign for fear of creating instability in the housing market.
Mr Ahern announced at the launch of his election manifesto in the Mansion House in Dublin that stamp duty for first-time buyers would be abolished, and that the measure would be backdated and applicable to all contracts stamped from April 30th.
The party also promised to increase the mortgage interest relief for first-time buyers who have purchased their homes in the last seven years.
Mr Ahern said the elimination of the tax for first-time buyers would not force an increase in the price of houses and said the Government is determined to help first-time buyers directly without disturbing market conditions or driving increases in house prices.
Asked about repeated claims by the Minister for Finance in recent weeks that the party would not make any major changes in stamp duty, Mr Ahern said in any five-year term in government issues require re-examining. "We have come back to this issue in two of Brian Cowen's budgets and we have made two significant changes.
"We believe it's a fair system. It will help everybody, people who bought their first house, their second house."
He said builders, auctioneers and estate agents say the lifeblood of the construction industry is the first-time buyers' market "so our concentration over the last few years is to help first-time buyers".
He said the abolition of stamp duty, and making it retrospective to April 30th, and increasing the ceiling are all very good for first-time buyers.
Mr Ahern said the proposal would cost €44 million this year, €81 million next year, €109 million the year after, rolling out to €200 million in 2012.
He claimed the Fine Gael proposals would cost €660 million by 2012, "something we just don't believe is sustainable".
Flanked by all his cabinet Ministers, Mr Ahern said, when asked why people should give him another five-year term, that the public should "look at what we have achieved and what we are setting out for the future".
He said Fianna Fáil has developed and maintained a strong economy, has continued to create employment and by creating wealth has been able to put in more resources and services. He said he has led two governments to full term, something no other Irish leader has achieved.
Asked about criticism from Cork North Central TD Noel O'Flynn about the party's record in government, Mr Ahern said Mr O'Flynn was "always a good one to catch publicity" and he wished him well. "I wish Billy well too," he said, referring to Mr O'Flynn's running mate Billy Kelleher.
On crime, Mr Ahern said Fianna Fáil had delivered most of what it had set out to, including extra gardaí, more prison places and rehab programmes. "I think they have made a substantial difference," he said, admitting that there are still huge problems with crime. In parts of Dublin special units "armed to the hilt" are keeping rival gangs apart, he said.
On health, Mr Ahern said surveys show that people in hospitals for treatment are "relatively happy" but he said the A&E situation is still a "downside" although there has been a huge drop in the length of waiting times.
Asked if he would talk to the nurses protesting outside the Mansion House Mr Ahern said he had been talking to nurses during the campaign and before it officially started.
He said an agreement will have to be reached within the social partnership and his officials have put a lot of time into seeking a resolution.