Cape Clear Trust (in formation)

Iontaobhas Cléire

Statement – Ráiteas

Punitive Stamp Duty on Community Land Purchase

Various residents of Cape Clear Island have recently purchased 40 acres of land of outstanding natural beauty overlooking South Harbour, formerly belonging to Chuck & Nell Kruger, founders of the Cape Clear International Storytelling Festival. This is the most south-westerly headland in Ireland, currently accessible to the public and the Trust plans to preserve this public access in perpetuity.

To date about 50% of the purchase price of €60,000 has been raised leaving a shortfall of €30,000 plus costs to be funded. The Group has received no public support or commercial sponsorship of any kind.

The group are extremely disappointed, following recent budget changes to be saddled with an additional bill of €3,600 for Stamp Duty. Our neighbouring EU countries have schemes whereby land purchases of this kind which are in the public interest can be funded but regrettably, in Ireland, the only State response is to levy a substantial tax on a community group already struggling to raise funds.

The Group thanks all those in the wider Cape Clear Island and Storytelling Community who have financially supported this initiative to date by purchasing 10m2 and 5m2 plots for €100 and €50 respectively and ask that this support continues.

The Group also looks forward to a better State response to this significant local initiative.

Séamus Ó Drisceoil,

www.capecleartrust.ie

028-39159, 087-1405584

Seamusabu1@gmail.com