Some People Pay Much More Tax Than Others (ITI Report)

Nat O'Connor: The Irish Tax Institute (ITI) has just published Perspectives on Ireland's personal tax system, which will be discussed on RTÉ Primetime tonight. Their main argument is that taxes are skewed, with those on high and "middle" incomes paying too much, and those on low incomes paying very little.

There are a number of problems with the ITI's analysis, including the prominence given to unorthodox measurements and a lack of context for their comparison with other countries.

Corporate Social Responsibility -the first casualty in Apple ‘truth fight’

Colm O'Doherty:  Viewed through a Corporate Social Responsibility lens the behaviour of the Irish State and Apple does not stand up to scrutiny.

The harsh impact of economic inequality on children in Ireland: Part 2

Rory Hearne: Children’s well-being is deeply affected by economic inequality. This is linked to, and results from, inadequate public expenditure on public services like health and education and wider economic inequalities in Irish society, such as income and wealth. In this blog, the second of two blogs dealing with Children and Economic Inequality in Ireland, I look at inequalities relating to health and housing and also some causes and potential solutions relating to reducing child inequality. 

On Apple tax, State must side with its citizens

Paul Sweeney: It is widely agreed that globalisation has bought immense benefits. But it is also recognised that these benefits are not equally distributed. Last week’s Apple decision demonstrates the complexity of the issue of distributing the benefits of globalisation. The Irish Government, faced with a windfall of some €13 billion, appears to have sided with the world’s largest and most profitable company against the welfare of its citizens.

The profound impact of inequality on children in Ireland

Rory Hearne: The impact of economic inequality on children’s levels of wellbeing has received increased attention internationally. This blog draws on the findings from TASC’s second annual report on economic inequality in Ireland, Cherishing All Equally 2016, to provide a brief analysis of the extent and impact of economic inequality on children in Ireland.