Will easing rules for tax exiles really make sure charity begins at home?

FRANK Flannery is an influential guy. He has been one of Fine Gael’s leading power-brokers for over 30 years, even though he never held elected office, serving instead as an administrator and strategist.

He hasn’t been in a full-time role with the party for many years and may not have the same sway under Enda Kenny that he had with other leaders but he remains in sufficiently good odour with enough senior people in the party that when he pitches an idea it gets an audience.

It’s why the Minister for Finance Michael Noonan has made soothing and approving noises about Flannery’s latest wheeze. Flannery is the chairman of the Government-backed Forum on Philanthropy. He is looking for ways to increase charitable giving in Ireland. No harm in that. The problem may be his way of going about it.