Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----but I would hate for it to be put out that counsellors in respect of zoning decisions and politicians here in the Dáil and Seanad are not doing their jobs in the proper way. We are bringing in the residential zoned land tax, the legislation for which is in, and the land sharing tax. We are conscious of the impact the residential zoned land tax is having on active farmers. We want to ensure that active farmers can continue. The Taoiseach is on record saying that any active farmers who have difficulties arising have the opportunity to put forward the case for the de-zoning of their land. We want to keep active farmers farming. That is very much in keeping with our theme around rural Ireland.

Deputy Cian O'Callaghan made reference to the requirement for proper oversight, and he is absolutely right. We have put activation measures in place. Development levies and water charges have been suspended. The local authority housing scheme is in place. Those measures are all to ensure that private builders can build houses at a rate that make them affordable to purchase.

I commend our amendment to the motion to the House. I understand the good intentions of the Rural Independent Group but we will not be accepting the motion. We feel we have made significant progress that has not been acknowledged in the motion and have proposed our amendment to it.

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