Madam, – It is already becoming clear that due to the weakness of the Government mandate (Fianna Fáil at 17 per cent, Front page, September 3rd) most of the measures recommended by the Commission on Taxation will be shelved. We have its report but we lack a government with the guts to apply the remedies.
As Stephen Collins writes (Opinion, September 5th) “Politicians of all parties have a huge responsibility to do what is right rather than what is merely expedient.” Already prominent members of Fine Gael have spoken out in favour of constructive action to get over the banking crisis: clear evidence of looking to the future of the country rather than political advantage.
If we are to believe reports, the national crisis caused by the banks and building speculation calls for a national coalition – as happened in Britain in the second World War – that might harness the collective wisdom of all the parties. It is time to stop play-acting, the stock in trade of the Opposition. In addition, our politicians might recover the respect they have lost in recent years. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Add flavour, sugar and carbon dioxide gas to water. After minutes of production time, put liquid into a plastic bottle and charge nearly €1 for a litre. Consider now a process requiring millions of years. Then spend enormous effort and energy to obtain and refine the resulting crude oil into motor fuel at a cost to the consumer of only 20 per cent more than the soft drink.
Ignoring environmental damage, what is the “real” cost of petrol? Worth a thought before complaining about motor fuel prices or a future carbon tax. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – While recommending that the artists’ tax exemption should be discontinued, the report from the Commission on Taxation states: “While the tax exemption may have created an environment in which the arts can flourish, considerations of equity and efficiency outweigh this factor and, accordingly, we recommend that the exemption be discontinued.” Everything hangs by that word “may”.
If it were more evident to the authors of the report that the arts can only flourish when creative artists are supported then they would presumably argue for the retention of the relief.
They make cases in favour of retaining tax reliefs in sport and research and development – acknowledging the same problems of equity and efficiency. They cite the role of sportspeople as role models (our pantheon of great writers, painters, composers et alwould be what?). They note the links between R & D and the rest of industry, but will not be swayed by the link between artistic R & D and the rest of the (taxable) cultural economic sphere: broadcasting, recording, publishing, theatre, etc.
I do not argue here for the removal of support to sport or R & D – but the opposite: an acceptance that living artists are involved in R & D and that, like sportspeople, we are working in mentoring, educating, entertaining and inspiring. Moreover our work, as with sport, has a positive effect on the reputation (and mood) of the country as a whole. What does the Minister “for Arts and Sport” think? – Yours, etc,
Madam, – It gives us an interesting insight into the make-up of the Taxation Commission that in applying a supposed revenue neutral stance it considers €200,000 to be an acceptable tax-free lump sum at retirement for an individual, while it proposes taxing the less than €4,000 that a young couple with two children get annually from child benefit. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – We should pay for water when Sicilians start paying for sunshine.
I was in Sicily three years ago and in 40-degree heat I asked if they ever run out of water with all the hotels, pools, gardens etc, considering they get virtually no rainfall from May to October. They said no, they collect the rain and snow water in the mountains during winter in an impressive number of reservoirs, which have made them self-sufficient. Water charges are either negligible or nonexistent, depending on the municipality.
We have no excuse; to have to pay for rainwater is to add insult to injury. There is no shortage of water, just a shortage of expertise. Might I suggest one member of Government take a cheap flight (economy) to Sicily and find out what they are doing, or better still take a conference call? – Yours, etc,