Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This time next week the Minister for Finance will be well into his budget speech. What will he do to change the tax on stallions, the land tax and the capital gains system that was set up for good reason for family farms and the transfer of land to put some kind of reins – this is not funny - on the horsing conglomerate in Tipperary, especially Coolmore Stud, which is buying up every piece of land? It has amassed well over 20,000 acres. The Government refused to do it last year and has refused to do it for several years. We asked that a land tax might be included in the Finance Bill last year to bring some fairness and equity to the small and family farms in Tipperary and in other parts of the country, and to other conglomerates. I support Coolmore's racing prowess and the employment it gives but someone has to cry halt when it has amassed more than 20,000 acres, buying up land that is zoned for housing in delicate areas in villages and towns and buying cottage plots and acres. It is buying up everything. The Government sits idly by and there are many demands on the budget. There is no stallion tax. It was brought in for good reason by a former Minister, Charles Haughey, long ago but now it is long past the day when it should be changed. There should be some kind of land tax on farms of more than 750 acres. There is no land commission. It is the wild west out there. It is hoovering everything up.

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