Irish Examiner view: Tax leeway undermines all societies

Deferring the inevitable will only make a necessary resolution even more difficult

Bill and Melinda Gates recognise the value of philanthropy and that the concentration of wealth needs to be rebalanced. Picture: AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

That Bill and Melinda Gates will end their 27-year marriage because they “no longer believe we can grow together as a couple” is, like most divorces, sad.

They may, however, have the resources to cushion the blow, unlike many, many others at that impasse. The Microsoft co-founder turned philanthropist and his wife have built up a fortune of just over €100bn, making them among the five richest couples in the world.