James Sexton: 'There is a pecking order in Ireland’s inheritance tax laws'

Budget 2027 must deliver reform, says End Discrimination in Inheritance Tax (Edit) campaign

James Sexton (centre) from Model Farm Road in Cork with fellow End Discrimination in Inheritance Tax members Deirdre Quinn, Maureen Madigan, Jean Cashman, Kieran Sexton, and Brigid Timmons.

Ireland’s inheritance tax system produces vastly different outcomes based solely on family relationships. Cost can no longer justify this fundamental inequality.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin says he is “very conscious” of the issue, particularly for people without children. Tánaiste and finance minister Simon Harris acknowledges that inheritance tax can be “punitive and difficult”. Minister Jack Chambers says equalising the categories would cost hundreds of millions and is therefore not possible.