Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wrote to the Minister on this matter. I also raised the issues brought up today by Deputies Burke and McGrath. I know that the Minister has sent the correspondence on to the Revenue Commissioners but the outcome remains unsatisfactory. We understand that there are transitional arrangements in place. The problem, however, is that there are people who purchased land and for whom the transfer of that land went through on budget night.

They obtained finance to purchase a land holding and have no access to the additional €10,000 or €11,000 required to pay the stamp duty charge. The problem is that the individual, who may be one of many, does not want to be in breach of the law. Time is now running out and a decision needs to be made this week. I understand there is a period of four weeks from when the charge is generated to when it must be paid. I made the point that there should be an announcement from the Revenue Commissioners and the Government that no late fees or penalties will apply to individuals who do not pay the charge until the Finance Bill is through. I have not heard any clarification in that regard. The individual in question wants to comply completely with the law but must satisfy the bank. He or she cannot gain access to any other money and did everything he or she believed to be proper. He or she took out a loan for the value of the land and stamp duty. On the night when the transfer went through, the law changed.