Tax Fraud And The PDs

Sir, - Vincent Browne (Opinion, February 2nd) is none too keen on the tax-cutting tendencies of the Progressive Democrats - just…

Sir, - Vincent Browne (Opinion, February 2nd) is none too keen on the tax-cutting tendencies of the Progressive Democrats - just stopping short of suggesting they are an evil in our society.

In a bizarre argument, he equates the systematic evasion of tax by certain individuals over the last decade or two as having its roots in the fervour of parties such as the Progressive Democrats for easing the burden of tax of ordinary, compliant taxpayers.

He forgets that the tax amnesty - that charter for cheats in 1993 - was vehemently opposed by the Progressive Democrats.

He forgets that the most rigorous enforcement of the Companies Act since it became law was Mary Harney's investigation into offshore accounts, currently being pursued by High Court-appointed inspectors.

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He forgets that it is lower taxes which have helped create hundreds of thousands of new jobs, and brought long-term unemployment tumbling down. - Yours, etc.,

Senator Helen Keogh, Seanad Eireann, Dublin 2.