Government intervention and impact on the housing market in Greater Dublin

This paper examines the conflicting outcomes of government intervention in the housing market with particular reference to taxation instruments. The u se of fiscal policy as a demand-side measure within the Irish housing marke t is discussed. Outcomes include a high growth environment, unsustainable h ouse price inflation and pressure on owner occupiers due to the activities of investors. The paper reviews policy mechanisms advocated under the Bacon Reports and the government's policy response notably in relation to stamp duty changes. The analysis seeks to assess the impact of the policy measure s in relation to different housing markets and house types in Dublin. The d iscussion highlights that the short-term impact of legislative changes can be rapidly nullified by market influences.