Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I call for a debate on the residential zoned land tax. The budget generally is very welcome but for farmers and the Irish Farmers' Association, IFA, particularly, which circulated its budget 2025 submission, it is very disappointing. I know there will be a debate later but unfortunately I will not be present because I have to engage with another group outside of this House. It is disappointing that I have to stand up in this House and say on behalf of farm groups how disappointed they are. Members will hear later from them on the national airwaves. I will predict one thing, which is that this residential zoned tax land debacle will be a huge issue.

I acknowledge Deputy Catherine Connolly, who has asked numerous questions on my behalf in the Oireachtas during the last ten days. From one of those questions, we have a breakdown county-by-county of lands that would fall under the scope of this tax. I will read the figures for the record, although they are on the Oireachtas website: Cork City Council, it is 205 ha; Cork County Council, it is 490 ha;Fingal County Council, it is 675 ha; and the list goes on. It is approximately 6,200 ha, which amounts to more than 15,000 acres of land. All I am saying, as will farming communities in the coming days, is that genuine farmers involved in active agriculture should be exempt.

The IFA submission on the budget states that:

The 3% annual market value tax is unjust and disproportionate to its income generation capacity and represents nothing more than a land-grab exercise. Despite numerous government commitments to exclude it, active farmland remains within scope. [And that] ... [has to] change.

Well it has not changed. It has been a disappointing budget for farm organisations but we will have another day. I like to debate these things in a calm and rational way. Let us be fair. I will paint a scenario and will then sit down, and I thank the Cathaoirleach for his indulgence. A farmer has 200 ha in County Meath that is now subject to this residential zoned land tax. He can have an exemption for 12 months. The Minister has stated that there can be a period of exemption to 2025 if the farmer seeks to change the zoning, which amounts to down-zoning.The farmer will have to go back to the Bank of Ireland or whatever financial institution he has borrowed money from and use the lands in question as collateral for farm enterprise. He will be told that there is no way he can change the zoning. There is an issue here. Clearly, neither the Government nor the Minister for Finance, who said we would have a solution this week, have been able to deliver. This is going to be a really hot political debate. Hopefully, we can look at the matter rationally and debate it in the coming weeks. I ask the Leader to facilitate a meaningful engagement with the Ministers for housing and agriculture in respect of this tax. I would very much appreciate it.