No rift in coalition parties over proposed land hoarding tax, Fianna Fáil minister says
Fianna Fáil junior minister for sport Thomas Byrne said on Thursday 'nobody wants to see farmers being taxed' for land which was zoned for housing but was never intended to be used for developing homes. File picture: Larry Cummins
There is "no difference of opinion" across the coalition on a proposed land hoarding tax, a Fianna Fáil minister has said.
Finance Minister Jack Chambers said on Tuesday he would be delaying the introduction of a residential-zoned land tax as the Government seeks to find a compromise with farmers on the issue of land which is being actively farmed but is zoned for housing.
The proposed deferral has angered some in the Green Party, who believe putting the move off would mean land that could provide 220,000 homes will continue to be held onto.
However, Fianna Fáil junior minister for sport Thomas Byrne said on Thursday "nobody wants to see farmers being taxed" for land which was zoned for housing but was never intended to be used for developing homes.
Mr Byrne said he felt the coalition had worked "remarkably well" over the last four years and this issue was unlikely to cause a major rift in the coalition.
Scroll for results in your area
"I've been a TD in a number of governments. I know when there's tensions, when there's real problems, when governments collapse."
This Government has worked remarkably well together by any standards of any coalition agreements, he claimed.
"There have been remarkably few public disagreements. And when there are these issues, they get resolved by the leaders, that's the professional approach we've taken.
"When you're in any coalition government, you're always going to get differences of opinion. But this is nothing compared to what has gone on in the past.
"I don't think any party wants to see active farmers with no intention of disposing land for housing being taxed for something that they're never likely to do.
"But farmers, who actually are farming, won't be paying the tax. I don't think any party in the Dáil wants them to pay it."
Mr Byrne said the Government had got to grips with the housing crisis and his party's bona fides should not be doubted on the issue.
He rejected the idea the move was a "cynical ploy" ahead of a general election.
Mr Byrne also said Fianna Fáil would "always be ready" for an election amid some speculation a date in mid-November is now being prepared for across the political spectrum.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
