Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for that comprehensive response. I acknowledge and accept that this is a key pillar of Government policy in respect of bringing more land into active use for residential housing. I refer now to my only request. The Taoiseach is on record as saying he is proposing some changes to this tax. The RZLT is a universal, one-size-fits-all tax that does not take into account specific housing needs in each county or housing demand and viability in certain counties. This is the area of the scope I would like the Government to examine. It is not specifically mentioned in my matter, but this is my request today.

I again thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response. This is helpful and will be beneficial to farmers. The extension for one year will give people more time, as the Minister of State rightly said, to make a stronger case. If their requests have been refused, they can now go back to their local authorities or An Bord Pleanála and make a case. It must, though, not be land left aside, not be land hoarding and not be land grabbing. We must put the focus on active land use and this is why I am here today. I thank the Minister of State for taking this matter.