Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with my two colleagues on the issue of cystic fibrosis. What we saw this afternoon was a real, passionate cry for help in so many ways. The 35 kids who are waiting for this drug are stuck in limbo as they wait for the negotiations next Friday between the Department and the drug company. Accordingly, I suggest to the Leader that we might write to the Minister to say the matter was raised. Perhaps we should put on the schedule that the Minister should come in and speak about the issues regarding CF. It is a real issue in so many ways for these poor families who are caught in limbo.

The other issue I wish to raise is the report of the Commission on Taxation and Welfare that was published recently. This a huge issue, especially the recommendations on inheritance tax and how that is going to affect people. There is an expectation out there that there are going to be huge changes. The changes will have a huge impact on society if they happen and a debate in this House would be appropriate. There will definitely be different views in the House but if we look at it from the agricultural point of view, these people are just making a living. If they must pay capital gains tax on land transferred from a farmer to his or her son or daughter at the percentage being talked about, it would mean the entity itself would be unviable. Therefore, we will have to be very conscious of what we are talking about and the real knock-on effect it will have for rural Ireland. We have a huge issue at the moment with the age profile of farmers.If we are to implement this measure, the age profile will only go one way for the obvious reason that farmers will not be able to afford to transfer their land. We require in this Chamber a debate on the commission's report with the Minister of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue. We need to allay fears and make sure we get the right message out there, particularly when it comes to that issue.