A Co Monaghan farmer has described the decision to defer the Residential Zoned Land Tax for another year as a "huge relief" for many. Minister for Finance Jack Chambers confirmed that the Government is set to defer the residential zoned land tax for another year due to concerns it could inadvertently impact on active farmers. Niall Hurson is a local farmer who also works as an Irish Independent Farming journalist. Speaking on today's Joe Finnegan Show, Niall described the announcement as a "very significant" move. Following 18 months or more of lobbying by farmers and their representative organisations, that has now been scrapped amid calls by the Green Party and Sinn Féin that the deferment is just electioneering by the government ahead of a general election.
Government were previously looking to put a 3% tax on the market value of farm land which was met with huge contention by the farming sector. According to Niall, yesterday's announcement by Minister Chambers is "welcomed news" for many; "Take the example of a farmer I know in Belturbet who had 2.5 acres that would of been subjected to this land tax," explain Niall. "This would of divided his land and he would of lost his privacy and lost the land which has been farmed for generations so it's a huge relief for these guys."
