Every so often, we read reports concerning the distribution of wealth among private individuals, nationally and globally. These reports often show that a tiny proportion of the population appears to own and control a massively disproportionate fraction of the wealth of our State, and sometimes it appears that this imbalance is worsening at the expense of the less well off.

In an era where money in the form of private capital is ever more free to travel and reside at the choice of its owners, we also encounter the phenomenon of non-resident citizens who, having accumulated major resources and incomes, change their tax residence so as to exempt themselves from our progressive income-tax rates in relation to their worldwide earnings.

It is hard to see how such a capacity on the part of the super wealthy to exclude themselves totally from tax liability to the State which has enabled their wealth to accumulate can be defended in terms of social justice. Why should the immensely rich be permitted to opt out fiscally from liability to the homeland that enriched them? Why should our progressive system of taxation be easily avoidable by those most in a position to contribute a fair share? Why should wealthy citizens continue to acquire, manage and control assets – commercial, agricultural and financial........

© The Irish Times