The black economy - A dodge we can’t afford

EDUCATION Minister Ruairi Quinn’s assertion that raising income taxes will drive more people into the black economy rather than raising Exchequer revenues has an unfortunate ring of truth about it.

Which of us has not been asked whether we intended to pay for a service by cash or by cheque? Which of us has not been tempted to take the cheaper option?

Mr Quinn’s remarks were made in the context of troika assessments of our commitments made under the terms of our bailout which, in time, may lead to increases in income tax.

The reality of the black market is that it undermines companies and individuals who pay taxes and, however tempting it may be, it undermines the State’s ability to provide the services we all depend on.

Greece is in a dreadful bind because so much of its economy was underground and that tax avoidance was a national sport. Surely we have deceived ourselves enough on these kinds of things?