Sir, – The rapid rise in utility costs is clearly causing great difficulties for households and businesses alike.
On the other hand, tax revenues have accelerated beyond expectations.
Can nobody join up the dots?
The Government need to offset one against the other and in doing so closely examine its tax take from utility industries, together with the scrutiny of possibly unjustified profit margins by suppliers.
It is an accepted practice that oil, gas, petrol, etc, jump in price as an immediate reaction to world prices while reductions get a much slower knock-on.
When small businesses are driven out of business because of this current phenomenon and families are stressed to breaking point, the political crocodile tears will be too late. – Yours, etc,
BRIAN MURPHY,
Dublin 6W.