Madam, - Irish banks have a brass neck. The Government levies a tax on the banks for each credit card issued to customers. This is a completely justified tax considering the profits made by the banks from credit cards.
The issuing of credit cards by the banks is effectively a licence to print their own money outside the control of governments. Banks then have the cheek to pass the €40 annual tax on to the customers.
Customers, including myself, have protested at this. Now a compromise solution is being sought whereby customers will be asked to pay a compulsory charity donation instead of tax (The Irish Times, October 18th)
This is not a solution. The banks should pay their own tax. We customers can arrange our own charity donations, without handing the banks a PR opportunity. - Yours, etc,
SEAMUS BLAKE, Youghal, Co Cork.