Sir, – The Parliamentary Budget Office tells us that the top 7.7 per cent of earners paid more than 54 per cent of the income tax and universal social charge collected in 2021 and cautions that policymakers should be aware of the significant concentration risk in the public finances (Business, May 28th).
Sinn Féin in government would introduce a 4 per cent “solidarity charge” on higher earners. It sees this as making political sense – take more from the small minority who already contribute more than half of the income tax take while appealing to the 40 per cent of earners who pay no income tax by providing services funded by “general taxation”, a term beloved of the Left to describe tax paid by the other fellow.
But the minority who keep the show on the road may feel that they are already showing sufficient solidarity and that they should not be called upon to pay for Sinn Féin’s fantastic promises. It is only in retrospect that we will recognise the straw that broke the camel’s back. And by then it will be too late to do much about it. – Yours, etc,
PAT O’BRIEN,
Rathmines,
Dublin 6.