Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I listened to what the Minister said. None of us is trying to create loopholes in the tax law or encourage tax avoidance. That is not the objective behind the amendment. I am seeking a report into the issue to see whether it is possible to ensure that a mechanism is in place that will not discourage the joint ownership of farmland. There are many barriers to this happening. From a policy perspective, we all agree it is important that each spouse has equal ownership of the farmland and we do not want a barrier to be put in place in that regard.

I accept the point the Minister made about not wanting to create a tax avoidance element by altering the legislation as it stands, but I am seeking a review to see whether a mechanism can be found to get over this barrier to transferring land into both names, without creating a tax avoidance loophole. Will the Minister and his officials reconsider this and see whether there is a mechanism to meet the objectives he set? I do not disagree with those. He might also try to facilitate, insofar as is possible, as much land as possible being transferred into joint ownership.