Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of farmers who have availed of the tax relief on farm swap consolidation since its inception; his plans to review the conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36924/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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In Budget 2005, I announced a special stamp duty relief relating to an exchange of farm land between two farmers for the purposes of consolidating each farmer's holding. The relief is contained in section 121 of the Finance Act 2005 which provides that no stamp duty will be charged on an exchange of such lands where the lands are of equal value. In a case where the lands exchanged are not of equal value, stamp duty will only be charged on the amount of the difference in the value of the lands concerned.

The scheme was introduced on 1 July 2005 for a period of 2 years. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that from 1 July 2005 to 31 December 2005 there were two cases of farm consolidation relief. In 2006, from 1 January to 31 September there were 12 cases.

At the Partnership talks earlier this year it was agreed to look at the possibility of extending this relief to cases where only one farmer is consolidating his/her farm holdings. However, as was stated at the time, such a measure will probably need EU Commission approval, which may be difficult to achieve.