Michael D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Without the benefit of this, someone who had the property or business to transfer would have to pay large duties and debts. Instead of investing in the future and expanding the business, he would have to pay money to the State. That would lead to a downward spiral rather than the tax break for the younger farmer. That is the primary reason this has been in place for a long time and why the Irish agrifood sector is achieving the targets in Harvest 2020, a doubling in certain areas. If they had to spend money to pay transfer duties, that would not happen.