Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have a comment on land leasing which occurs to me and which I may have mentioned already to the Minister. Some of those involved with the farm managers and Macra na Feirme approached me at the National Ploughing Championship and said that while the €40,000 upper limit is very good and helpful, there is an issue whereby young farmers are getting a 25% top-up as more of the money is being extracted in the lease. It was suggested that a maximum per acre should be applied as a control. In other words, one would get up to €40,000 tax-free for a long-term lease, but, taking a figure of €200 per acre, the rest is taxable. I imagine if that could be implemented, the Revenue Commissioners would love it. I am not sure it can be. However, it puts a brake on the price increase, especially as it applies to young farmers who landowners will know are in receipt of top-up payments. It is the opposite of what we usually look for. We are looking for a control measure here to aid young farmers. It is something that should be discussed with Macra and farm managers in particular. That is who mentioned it to me at the ploughing championship.