Super-tax those bankers now

It would seem that the extremely well paid and cossetted minister for finance is unable to place any constraint on Richie Boucher, and other such giants of banking’s, immoral and grossly over-inflated pay packets.

Due, he constantly bleats, to contractual obligations, brought on by the heroic soldiers of destiny’s rampage through our economy some years back. He is well able to cut like an acetylene torch through the wage packs of ordinary workers, pensioners, or the meagre allowances of those unable or too ill to defend themselves against his swingeing cuts.

Perhaps I can make a suggestion that might help our beleaguered, if somewhat uninspired minister.

Tell Messrs Boucher, Kane and others that they can have their astronomical salaries and perks, but that due to newly enacted legislation they will have to pay a super tax of 75% on these so-called earnings.

I know this sounds harsh, but it will still leave the bold Mr Boucher with an annual salary of approximately €250,000, about five times the pay of a garda, nurse or teacher.

If this figure was spread amongst all the captains of commerce and banking earning €500,000 and above per year, this country would not be long in clearing the debts we owe without having to tell the poor, sick, disabled and those struggling with an unpayable mortgage that leaves them unable to properly feed their children that this country does not care about them and that they will have to continue to bear the burden, whilst Mr Boucher et al can continue to live the dream.

I am not a consultant or anything like that, so I probably won’t get any financial recompense for my advice, but hey, Mr Noonan, this one is on the house.

Chances of this ever happening? Unsurprisingly, snowflakes and hell spring instantly to mind.

Tom Mangan

Ennis

Co Clare