John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

A lease is a disposal of possession. The issue here is that the Department must ensure that any form of land transaction which is subject to a land purchase annuity, including the leasing of land, would require a certificate indicating that all annuity payments have been paid. I do not want to create a loophole for leases, thereby giving rise to the possible avoidance of annuity arrears being discharged by the leases. As the Deputy stated, the letter outlines the position of the Minister of State, Deputy Brendan Smith. I reiterate that position.

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