Farmers and their families are expressing concern they'll be forced to sell land that's been in their family for generations, once Residential Zoned Land Tax is introduced next year. The Government has been called on confirm the tax does not apply to land that is being used for farming purposes.
The annual tax will be calculated at 3 per cent of the market value of land. Independent TD Seán Canney said land-hoarders, not farmers, should be penalised. "Some of this land is Zoned Phase 2 land which means it won't get planning permission for the next five to 10 years.
Therefore, this is a penal sentence that is being placed on farmers. What the Government want to target is people who are hoarding land and waiting for the price to go up so that they can make money on it," Deputy Canney added.
