Sir, – It is disappointing to find that Neale Redmond TD is in favour of providing further tax breaks to those who may already inherit €335,000 tax free on the death of their parents (“The Debate: Should inheritance tax be cut in the budget?”, Opinion & Analysis, July 9th). We’re an unequal society but a society will be judged more on how wealth is fairly distributed, not on how tax breaks are delivered to those who already have enough. A letter writer (July 13th) largely shares Mr Richmond’s view. Given the limits within which many young parents with children manage, with little prospect of a windfall on the demise of their own parents, isn’t it time to remind ourselves and those who govern that taxation is for the common good? – Yours, etc,
NUALA GALLAGHER,
Castleknock,
Dublin 15.
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A chara, – A constant theme in the inheritance tax debate is the desire to provide for one’s children. Average life expectancy in this country means that beneficiaries are very often in their fifties or sixties. They could be grandparents themselves. They are very often well set in their middle-class lives and likely coming to the end of their mortgage repayments. Why should they benefit from a completely unearned windfall at a low tax rate? Is there some issue in having a more equal and meritocratic society? We need to move away from this infatuation with financial legacies. Providing an education for our children and instilling a work ethic in them is something that can’t be taxed. – Yours, etc,
REAMONN O’LUAN,
Churchtown,
Dublin 14.