Tim Lombard (Fine Gael)
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I acknowledge the contribution of the representatives from Macra na Feirme, not only here in the committee but in society over the past 60 years in particular. There is a very interesting last paragraph in their opening statement, where they say the status quois not an option. That kind of sums it up in one phrase. It is a really fair line. In many ways, there is a conflict between the young active farmer who is working the land at the moment and the potentially older farmer and where he is regarding the circle. The contribution from the representatives is very valuable and it is important we take it on board. I appreciate issues did not go their way, particularly in the last CAP. That has to be acknowledged.

The stamp duty issue is one I continuously go back to. Stamp duty relief for the head of the farm holding kicks in while the farmer is below 35 years of age. This is no reflection on our parents but there is a cohort of people who will transfer the land on the last day of a person being 34 years of age. Receiving their family landholding at the age of 35 is a major impediment to the young farming community getting involved at an active age. I realise there is an income issue here. Mr. Keane mentioned a farm that had one income running a household and with a father and son running a farm, potentially you need two incomes coming out of the same holding, which is an issue . What does Mr. Keane believe the current stamp duty threshold should be set at?

Should it be 35, 40 or something brave and go down to 28?