Former Green Party leader Eamon Ryan is determined to push through a controversial land tax in the upcoming Budget 25, despite objections from coalition partners. The Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) aims to tackle land hoarding, which Ryan believes is “absolutely critical to addressing the housing crisis we face.”
The proposed tax has sparked a heated debate within the government, with Finance Minister Jack Chambers expressing concerns about its potential impact on active farmers. This disagreement led to discussions about possibly deferring the tax, but Ryan remains steadfast in his commitment to implement it.
As negotiations continue, the focus has shifted to finding a way to exempt active farmers from the tax without compromising its effectiveness. The Green Party’s insistence on the RZLT highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing various interests within the coalition government.
With Budget 25 on the horizon, all eyes are on how this contentious issue will be resolved. The outcome could have significant implications for Ireland’s approach to land use and housing policy.
According to The Irish Examiner, the debate over the RZLT underscores the complex nature of addressing Ireland’s housing crisis while considering the concerns of different stakeholders.