Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)

Section 58 of the Finance Act 1983 contained a provision whereby unregistered farmers could claim back the VAT component of the cost on capital expenditure projects. This applied mainly to farmyard development. I assume that stands and will not be affected by any of the provisions we are discussing here. The other issue is the growing of willow and other crops. We are at an early stage in the development of this concept in Ireland, although considerable research has been carried out on it in the North. There will be a lead-in period for the establishment of these crops with heavy capital expenditure by individual farmers who want to get into it. Will the Finance Bill early in the new year give consideration to these circumstances to add to the worthwhile and welcome incentives that have been announced today?

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