Why single out the VAT liability of boat-owners?

AS someone who has been involved in the marine business (and in particular in the boat-selling business) for almost 25 years, I must take exception to your report headlined ‘Revenue nets €1.6m from boat-owners who failed to pay VAT’ (Irish Examiner, June 5).

If you are going to headline a story about boats and boat-owners who did not pay their due VAT, then please balance it with comparable statistics about the owners of cars, motorbikes, aircraft, and indeed owners of just about anything that is imported into this country.

Why do journalists feel they have to headline stories about boats and the puny amount of VAT that was defrauded when they should offer valid comparisons with other aspects of tax evasion?

I have no sympathy for those who have either defrauded or have tried to defraud the Revenue Commissioners, but please do not single out boat-owners. In the overall context of the number and value of boats that have come into this country in the past 10 years, I would suggest that if the amount owing to the revenue is only €1.6m, then it is probably the most tax-compliant business in the country.

Please do not reduce yourself to the standards of tabloid journalism with such a story.

Donal McClement

Crosshaven Boatyard

Crosshaven

Co Cork