Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I echo my colleague's points. Agricultural land should be exempt as proposed in the amendment we supported on budget night when the resolutions went through. I wish to refer to a tangential issue relating to this by which many individuals may be caught. Certainly, I am aware of one person who purchased a large quantity of land to ensure a farm was commercially viable. The last transaction went through on budget night and an invoice was generated by Revenue for 6% stamp duty. The individual does not have the additional €10,000 or €11,000 to pay the 6% rate. As the deal was concluded before 31 March, the family will be charged 2%, but they have to pay it now and there will be a late penalty if they do not. I ask the Minister to speak to Revenue to ensure there are no late penalties for individuals who have purchased land and face a 6% levy until the Finance Bill goes through. It is really important so that people are not in default of their tax liabilities. They have only four weeks to pay that tax liability. It is important for people who entered into genuine transactions and are now caught out because it is not possible to get a loan to cover the additional 4%.

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