Budget 2013 Education: Coveney in the dark on change to farm stamp duty relief

A budget decision to end stamp duty relief on the transfer of farm land — which has been roundly criticised by farming groups — came as a shock to the agriculture minister, it emerged last night.

Simon Coveney said he was not aware before Finance Minister Michael Noonan’s speech that the relief was apparently ending.

He said he is now seeking clarification from the Department of Finance about the matter.