Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Further to what Deputy Calleary said, I am also concerned about reliance on stamp duty slipping back in here again. We saw how it was very fruitful for a long time in the crazy times. When transactions ceased, very little came in from it. It is a very shaky foundation. The Minister gave an estimate of in excess of €370 million. I support Deputy Fitzmaurice's amendment because I am also concerned that it would apply to farmland. A farmer seeking to extend his holding could be penalised here.

It is proposed to be effective from tonight. I want a kind of sunset clause, a waiting time. I will see if Deputy Fitzmaurice does as well with his next amendment

As was said during the debate on the Budget Statement, I do not know why the Minister is afraid to tax some sacred cows. Here we are with an imponderable - a case of dúirt bean liom go ndúirt bean léi go raibh fear i dTiobraid Árann a bhfuil póca ina léine aige. We do not know what this will achieve.

I had this in my submission for the past number of years. Why did the Government not impose a land tax on landholders who are acquiring thousands upon thousands of acres? In my county a certain racing conglomerate cannot be stopped. The Government had a chance to do something on the fees for stallions - a very good initiative introduced by Charlie Haughey all those years ago when it was needed. Now we have an excellent equine industry and I am proud of it. We do not need them buying all the land without incurring any tax. I asked for a tax to be imposed on farmers with more than 750 acres. No small farmer or family farm has that kind of acreage.

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