Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

On stock relief for expansion, the Food Harvest 2020 report envisages 50% growth in dairying. If people expand at that level and are not allowed to claim stock relief, they will end up with a paper profit that attracts a tax on money they have not made. It is essential to facilitate that growth that stock relief is continued.

The return on investment in farming vis-À-vis the value of land bears no relation to the reality. If we apply the norms to it, money will be tied up to pay tax and this will stifle expansion. The Government's own report recognises this a growth area.

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