James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Thank you. The novel Castle Rackrent, by our Longford author Maria Edgeworth, was based on the demise of such properties. Taxes and the astronomical cost of repairs are an impediment to the retention of these wonderful properties. We must guard against taxing our heritage homes, no matter how large or small, to the point at which they become impossible to maintain. I value our heritage in all its guises and do not want to see short-term gain lead to the destruction of everything that makes us unique.

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