Neale Richmond says he is 'most sensible politician' as Fine Gael talk Budget 2025
Tánaiste Micheál Martin hit out at Fine Gael Junior Minister Neale Richmond earlier this week when he called for the stamp duty for institutional investors bulk-buying properties to be increased from 10 per cent to 20 per cent
Neale Richmond has stated he is the "most sensible politician" in the Dáil as he hit back at Tánaiste Micheál Martin’s public slap down of his budget suggestion.
The Fianna Fáil leader hit out at the Fine Gael Junior Minister earlier this week when he called for the stamp duty for institutional investors bulk-buying properties to be increased from 10 per cent to 20 per cent.
Mr Martin said there was a review of stamp duty being completed and it would have been "more sensible" for Mr Richmond, a Minister of State in the Department of Finance, to wait until this review was published before commenting publicly. He also stated that Finance Minister Jack Chambers was not given a "heads up" in advance of him making the comments.
READ MORE: Tánaiste Micheál Martin rebukes Neale Richmond's stamp duty comments
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However, Mr Richmond defended his intervention, telling reporters at the Fine Gael think-in that it was appropriate for him to comment on budget matters.
"I think I’m the most sensible politician in the Dáil," he said.
He continued: "We have said consistently all along, that has to be under constant review, and now's the time to review it because we're going into the budgetary process.
"It's not April or March like other opposition parties are floating. It's now as we prepare the budget.
"I absolutely think it's appropriate for a Minister of State at the Department of Finance to be in a position to voice an opinion on a key budgetary matter."
The Fine Gael think-in concluded on Thursday afternoon following a two-day meeting in the Tullamore Court Hotel.
Fine Gael politicians told the Irish Mirror that there was a "renewed sense of optimism" in the party as Taoiseach Simon Harris held his first think-in.
One politician remarked that the gathering in Limerick last year was "like a funeral" and that the atmosphere has improved since the change of leadership.
"There is actually hope," one TD said.
Politicians continuously spoke of a "pep in their step" and "new energy", with one person remarking there was "no rows, no drama."
The date of the election remained a hot topic, with many politicians stating they hoped the election would be called before Christmas.
However, the "immediate focus", they said, is on October 1’s budget as kites continued to be flown in Tullamore by ministers and politicians.
As previously reported by the Irish Mirror, Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys confirmed that she was examining reducing the fuel allowance eligibility age down from 70 to 66.
She further stated both universal and targeted measures will be examined, as will a double child benefit payment at Christmas, which she described as "very popular".
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