Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Members who contributed this morning to the Order of Business.

First, Senator Gerry Horkan welcomed yesterday's budget, and said how the mark of a good budget is when there is not very much to say about it afterwards. He said that things have gone well. I take on board the Senator's comments on hospitality. Certainly there is a body of work to be done on the cost base for business. A business support scheme was announced yesterday. There is a commitment from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment under the Minister, Deputy Peter Burke, to examine the cost base for business. I think the Government is keenly aware of the pressures, particularly on labour-intensive small and medium-sized businesses.

I join Senators Horkan and Craughwell in condemning outright the missile bombardments from Iran on Israel. It is completely unacceptable and an escalation in conflict in the Middle East. I listened to the Tánaiste speaking on the radio this morning, when he said we have to continue to pursue peace and advocate for a de-escalation in tensions. That is what world leaders are committed to doing.

Senator Conway spoke about the budget and its measures for those who are visually impaired. He advocated, as he always does, for that section of our society. He also welcomed the free travel pass for companions of those with the free travel pass. He also asked for a debate on the VAT issue. That debate was yesterday, in terms of the debate on the budget. It is unlikely we will have a specific debate on VAT in the weeks ahead.

Senator Boyhan asked for a clarification of the rationale for the residential zoned land tax. The rationale is to try to deal with land hoarding. Land that is serviced and zoned for housing should be used to building housing because we are in a housing challenge in this country. I think the Senator has correctly put it on the record but my understanding is that a person who is actively farming land that is currently zoned for residential use can apply to be exempt from that tax. So that is the position in that regard. I met IFA members who were very concerned that the tax was coming in. The news that an extension can be applied for, in circumstances where somebody is actively farming the land and therefore clearly not land hoarding, will provide them with welcome relief.

The Senator also sought a debate on the hospitality sector. Again, we had a debate on the Budget Statement yesterday and that would have dealt with the tax measures. The matter was given a good airing yesterday.