Anthony Foley: It's not the best time but we need to talk about tax

Few would deny the value of good public services but they have to be paid for, and the main source of payment is the money collected from taxes

'There is extensive public discussion on public services but much less so on the taxes to finance them.' Picture: Laura Hutton/RollingNews.ie

The Russian invasion of Ukraine will result in higher public expenditure to provide services for the large number of refugees, to pay for defence spending and energy subsidies, while all the time climate change will require substantial spending. 

There is strong public demand for improved services in most areas of the public sector, including childcare, transport, cycleways, universities, rural broadband, social welfare payments, better disability services and services for victims of domestic violence.