Dirt Inquiry

Sir, - Many of us will remember gasping in admiration at the ingenuity of the Department of Finance when it introduced the morally…

Sir, - Many of us will remember gasping in admiration at the ingenuity of the Department of Finance when it introduced the morally indefensible double-tax, DIRT. Many of us are now doubled up in mirth at the sight of said Department with egg on its face, having been bilked of unknown millions by the banks. No doubt, confronted with the full majesty of the Department, the banks will pull their socks up, say a good Act of Contrition had hand over the loot.

Will the money come from accumulated assets? I doubt it. A little levy here, a little transaction fee there, a little massaging of the APR and bingo, the books are back in the black!

The average punter has no option about paying for these embarrassing misdemeanours, but I'd really hate to be a shareholder in such morally bankrupt, or just plain incompetent, outfits. - Yours, etc., Eamon Sweeney,

South Hill, Dartry, Dublin 6.