Madam, - An analysis of tax records released by the Revenue Commissioners shows that one in eight of the top 400 earners paid less than 5 per cent tax ( The Irish Times, September 25th).
The report, which showed that some of the top earners in the country paid no tax whatever, drew a sharp response from the Labour Party's finance spokesperson Joan Burton, who described the figures as "a shocking indictment" of Fianna Fáil's tax record over the past 10 years. Ms Burton further stated that "Fianna Fail has presided over a tax regime that has allowed super earners to use a range of tax loopholes and avoidance measures to minimise their tax liabilities."
Ms Burton is long on rhetoric but somewhat short on memory. In taking the moral high ground on tax issues, Ms Burton and the Labour Party need a reality check. In 1993, when Ms Burton was Minister of State for Social Welfare in a coalition government, Labour sanctioned a tax amnesty which legitimised the actions of those who had looted and plundered the paltry coffers of this State at a time when we were haemorrhaging young people as they sought work around the world, hospital wards were closing down for lack of money and those fortunate enough to be in work were subject to penal rates of tax and PRSI.
When faced with a choice between principle and political expediency, Labour's ethics lost out.
- Yours, etc,
TOM COOPER, Delaford Lawn, Dublin 16.