Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Over the next few years, particularly when people begin to retire, they will get a contributory pension. I remember the Deputy raised this issue previously when I was in the Department of Social and Family Affairs and it did create some angst. The issue of leasing, particularly intra-family leasing, and changes from leasing agreements into partnership agreements appear to cause some bother. Much of this area has been fleshed out as a consequence of the single farm payment. As people cannot transfer their entitlement this year but must wait till next year, many leasing agreements are taking place. Many of the changes we see and the issues being raised at clinics reflect the changes taking place with the single farm payment. This is something we must evaluate from the taxation point of view in our discussions with the Minister.

I agree there are issues that need further discussion with the Minister for Finance. He did much work regarding five issues we raised and agreed on them in the last budget. The implications and changes currently taking place will be, as issues always have been in Fianna Fáil, reflected in the generous tax reliefs made available to the farming community.

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