Madam, – I was deeply disappointed, but unsurprised, to learn that former taoiseach Patrick “Bertie” Ahern has managed to get on to the list of tax-exempt artists, meaning he can earn up to €125,000 on his new book without having to pay tax. This is on top of the very generous salary and pensions he receives from the public purse.
While there can be no doubt Mr Ahern is entitled to claim this tax break, he is by no means obliged to.
It would have been a welcome sign if he had chosen to forgo this tax break, and instead contributed more to the empty State coffers.
It is regrettable that, with the country on its knees, and a huge chasm between the amount coming into the State and the amount being spent, that a former minister and taoiseach, already in receipt of vast sums of State money, would begrudge his country such a comparatively small amount.
I hope Mr Ahern reverses his decision to claim this tax deduction, the purpose of which is to support and reward struggling artists, not politicians. – Yours, etc,