Martin Kenny TD asked the Minister for Finance: Tax Data

Martin Kenny, the Sinn Féin TD for Leitrim, took to the Oireachtas on 25 June 2026 to ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance for an estimate of the annual cost that would result from raising the VAT flat rate applied to farmers to 5.1 %. The question was directed at the minister’s office, seeking a figure that could inform debate over the impact on the agricultural sector in County Leitrim and beyond.

The same day, local news outlets reported an incident in Arderry, County Leitrim, where Gardaí responded shortly after nine o’clock to a home. A man in his forties was found unresponsive inside; he received treatment at the scene but was later pronounced dead. The police are questioning another man who has been taken to a station in Leitrim and are investigating all circumstances surrounding the event. In response, Martin Kenny said that the community was stunned by the tragedy.

While the Oireachtas record does not yet provide the minister’s estimate on the VAT cost, it shows that the issue remains under discussion at the national level. The local incident has drawn attention to the need for swift police action and community support in rural areas such as Leitrim.

Readers can consult the official Oireachtas debate transcript for the full question posed by Martin Kenny and refer to Shannonside’s coverage of the Arderry incident for further details.

Summary written by localnews.ie from the original source coverage. Click through for the full report.