Seanad debates

Wednesday, 12 February 2003

Fischler Proposals for Agriculture: Motion.

 

The Government has also given the two-finger sign – the Harvey Smith sign, in case people do not understand what I mean – to farmers in the Finance Bill 2003 by confirming the abolition of roll-over tax and the imposition of capital gains tax on land bought under compulsory purchase orders. At the same time, exemptions were granted to others. This land is being confiscated from farmers. They are not willing sellers and, in many instances, it will destroy their farm enterprise. I call upon the Minister to intervene. If the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, wants to be the Judas in this situation, let the Minister be the hero for once and stand by the farmers and honour the agreement that was hammered out with them. Farmers are visibly insulted that these budgetary impositions still stand and, for the first time in years, we are seeing real alienation among the farming community as a consequence of the policies of this Government.

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