Investment tax breaks create wealth for a few
Their response to the independent cost/benefit analysis of the multitude of tax-based investment schemes has been a repetition of their long-standing pre-election broadcast about the health of the economy, levels of unemployment, and so on.
Whatever the benefits to the economy of many of these uncapped tax breaks, they most certainly have made a major contribution to economic and social inequity. Only the already well-off can benefit, and the richer you are the greater the potential benefit.
Many of our wealthiest citizens are non-resident for tax purposes, although they appear regularly in the media at various functions here.
If the Government displays little interest in non-voting disadvantaged areas, while leading business figures flaunt their enjoyment of Irish society without contributing taxes to support it, why should anyone be surprised if the burgeoning middle classes develop a ‘mé féin’ approach to life?
Peter Molloy
9 Haddington Park
Glenageary
Co Dublin
