John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I, too, am glad of a few minutes to refer to the provisions of the Finance Bill and, like Deputy Curran, to congratulate the Minister on delivering on commitments and, more importantly, taking on board submissions. I refer to the commitment that high earners will no longer be able to reduce their taxable income to zero. I am happy that the Bill considers such matters. As a former member of the Committee on Social and Family Affairs, I have heard a great deal about the fact that people had prepared very little for their future pension entitlements. The Minister has recognised that, and I congratulate him on his initiative aimed at the lower-income SSIA-holders, particularly those under funded for pensions. There is no need for me to rehearse every provision, but they are very important and represent a commitment clearly entered into and delivered upon.

In the past, the rural community made submissions to various Ministers, especially those who tried to advance farm development. I refer specifically to submissions made by the IFA and especially Macra na Feirme. Often the case was made to us politicians that we should encourage people to stay on the land with little inducement. I am aware that in recent years many submissions were made on behalf of young farmers.

I was in the company of the Minister when some submissions were made, and I am delighted he recognised that the way to encourage people to participate in farming is to secure land that has not been available hitherto. I welcome the fact that in this year's budget, through the Finance Bill, exemptions for long-term land-leasing have been considered. In the budget, for instance, the Minister had allowed for individuals leasing out land on a long-term basis from €7,500 to go as far as €12,000 for leases between five and seven years and from €10,000 to €15,000. While I might welcome that as a member of the Minister's party, it is worthwhile recognising that it has also been welcomed by the president of Macra na Feirme itself. He went on to make the point that this provision in the Finance Act goes a long way toward encouraging people to stay in farming, and more particularly those of an age to consider retiring. Macra na Feirme's basis for seeking an amendment to the Finance Act was that the overall rental value of land would increase due to the fact that the value of the single payment entitlements attached to the land would be built into the rental price of land and this is to be welcomed.

Previous speakers referred to the increase in funding for the disability sector which has been in place for several years. Will the Minister take into consideration the issue of VAT relating to disabled drivers and VAT exemptions on modified vehicles? The limit on the value of qualifying expenditure was decided in 1994-95 and was set at a value of approximately €40,000, which was quite generous at the time. However, the cost of appropriate vehicles has risen over the past 11 or 12 years by almost 30% and the figures have not been adjusted to the upper limit. I acknowledge this is a very good scheme but it requires updating, as inflation has somewhat diminished its value.

Suitable vehicles for disabled persons' transport tend to be expensive. It is not a case of these vehicles being used as status symbols or as signs of outward materialism but rather it is a matter of safety, access, reliability, comfort and the promotion of an inclusive lifestyle for disabled persons. Knowing the Minister's style, I am confident he will take this submission into account. I welcome the Bill.

See this speech in context