Tax rate versus revenue target
Haughey asked whether the tax aimed to raise twice the existing revenue or charge £10 per adjusted acre. O’Brien confirmed that the rate would be £10 per adjusted acre, regardless of the revenue it produced.
If the Minister for the Environment is now the Minister in charge of this tax legislation — which I think will come as a very big surprise to many people — can he clear up one matter for me, that is, listening to the Taoiseach and others speaking about this tax, they have indicated that twice the existing revenue will be collected from farmers and, on that basis, that the tax is calculated to be roughly £10 per adjusted acre. Will the Minister confirm which will be the real objective? Will it be £10 per adjusted acre, or will it be to bring in twice as much money, whatever that may involve, as a charge per adjusted acre? Which will be the objective? Will it be twice the existing level of tax or will it be £10 per adjusted acre?
