David Stanton
Ceist:106 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the reports that speculators and others are purchasing agricultural land and paying very high prices thus making it difficult for genuine farmers to purchase land exclusively for agricultural purposes to compete; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that this activity is artificially increasing the value of land thus raising the stamp duty on transfer of land and buildings between close relatives over the age of 35; his plans to rectify the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21073/02]