A Chara, - Patricia Tsouros's loyalty to Denis O'Brien (October 31st) is indeed commendable. However, I believe the average citizen of this State might have a slightly different perspective on his patriotism or otherwise.
Mr O'Brien made the greater part of his considerable fortune through his and his company's ownership of a very valuable State asset - the second mobile phone franchise for this State. Mr O'Brien, as we know, disposed of a large part of his Irish telecom interests several years ago and, through a very clever and legal strategy, avoided paying capital gains tax.
I find nothing patriotic in this avoidance of tax, and I find nothing patriotic in Denis O'Brien's continuing strategies to avoid tax on income earned from the Irish consumer and taxpayer. I really doubt that his contribution to the Special Olympics last summer, no matter how altruistic or selfless, amounted to anything like the amounts saved in tax by his migration to the sunnier climes of Portugal.
If Denis O'Brien wishes to be regarded as patriotic then he should do two simple things - live in Ireland and pay his taxes in Ireland. More than most citizens he can easily afford both. - Is mise,
PADRAIG MANNION, Research Officer, The Workers' Party, Hill Street, Dublin 1.