Mrs Robinson’s archives: Nice work if you can get it

MARY Robinson’s presidency, from 1990 to 1997, was one of the steps we took in our long, meandering march towards modernity. 

Her years in office symbolised a determined break from a dull, introverted, and highly-controlled past. Her presidency, which she cut short to join the UN, was a game-changer and for that we all owe her a debt of gratitude. That debt is expressed, if not discharged, through a generous pension of over €120,000 a year for life for seven years of work.

It was reported yesterday by The Sunday Times that Finance Minister Michael Noonan has approved a scheme that would entitle Mrs Robinson to a €2m tax break because she has decided to give her archives to Mayo County Council.

Mrs Robinson is not by any means the first or the last prominent person to so benefit, but is the arrangement fair or is it just another way of reminding us that there’s one law for the rich and another for the rest of us? These arrangements are often justified, as they are in this case, by arguing that the concession will keep a valuable historical resource in the country. Is there really an international figure or institution ready to pay even €1m for this archive? We have, though the exchange is described as a gift. We will never know but what we do know is that Mrs Robinson’s generosity, and the generosity of others who make similar gifts to state institutions, has been spectacularly rewarded. Nice work if you can get it.