Vol. 501 No. 2
11 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Finance the policy considerations taken into account in the introduction of section 19 of the Finance Act, 1994; the number of taxpayers who benefited from the section in each tax year since its introduction; the number of taxpayers who had out standing tax liabilities waived as a consequence of its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5341/99]
I think in answering this question it might be instructive to trace the genesis of the relief.
The original representations in this matter dated from February 1993. On that occasion the Irish Georgian Society wrote to the Minister saying that the society had been recently approached by a number of members who were deeply concerned by what they believed was a new proposal by the Revenue Commissioners to tax art collections in this country in certain circumstances. The society pointed out that many of their members allowed the public to visit their historic houses, to view, study and enjoy the buildings and art collections. This access was recognised in the provisions of section 19 of the 1982 Finance Act.
The society proposed a tax relief for such collections on view to the public in such "section 19" houses, in order to retain important collections in the State for the enjoyment of the Irish people and in the interest of preserving the national heritage.
Around the same time, the Department of Arts, Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht wrote supporting the case and referring in particular to the case of one named individual. The individual concerned also wrote to the Minister in October 1993 seeking an amendment to the Finance Acts indicating that such a change would be doing a great service to Irish heritage and that there was a danger of persons moving works of art out of the country for sale. In January 1994, representations were forwarded by the Department of the Taoiseach from Bord Failte supporting the proposed change to the Finance Acts.
Having examined the matter and the representations received, the Minister decided that a suitable provision would be included in the Finance Bill to deal with such circumstances.
This provision was enacted as section 19 of the Finance Act, 1994, with the support of both sides of the House.
While the application of tax law is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners, I understand from the Revenue Commissioners that one taxpayer has applied for and benefited from the section since its introduction.
