Sir, – The Irish Times Ipsos MRBI poll (Weekend Review, November 30th) omitted to ask the question: what percentage of the total assessed income do the top 10 per cent of individual tax cases earn, according to the Revenue's 2011 statistics? (Answer: 34 per cent). It is the crucial connecting figure between the two measures used in the poll, without which the discussion of progressiveness is empty. But then perhaps the poll is not about the discussion, but the deliberate shaping, of perceptions? – Yours, etc,
ROBERT ELLIS,
Auburn Road,
Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin.
Sir, – I am left wondering why public perception should be so at odds with the facts (Irish Times Ipsos MRBI poll, November 30th). Some years ago, Marshall McLuhan told us that "the medium is the message" and someone else said "perception is reality".
One obvious conclusion is that the false perceptions have been created by the media. Perhaps, the most striking fact from the poll was that Ireland is regarded as the seventh out of 186 countries in the world as the best place to live, ahead of Sweden no less, which we are told has one of the most desirable living standards in the world. One certainly would not think this about Ireland listening to the persistent moaning, groaning and special pleading that we hear on TV, radio and the print media. In spite of years of Fianna Fáil profligacy and misrule, it appears that, right now, we’re not doing too badly on the world stage.
Can we look forward to some positive reaction in the media to these findings or is it that good news doesn’t really sell newspapers or attract radio and TV audiences? – Yours, etc,
BRENDAN FEHILY,
Firgrove Park,
Bishopstown, Cork.