Weston should back reform for start-ups

Sir — I refer to Charlie Weston’s article (Business, Sunday Independent, October 28) on Government favouring self-employed and business owners over PAYE workers and I would like to take issue with him.

Back in 2013, when I was made redundant and set up a new venture with four other partners, we found to our dismay we were no longer eligible for the PAYE credit of €1,650 per annum enjoyed previously, as we were now deemed to be proprietary directors i.e. owned more than 15pc of a limited company.

This, to me, was anti start-up businesses and discriminated against company owners. Many start-up companies are not on a magic route to wealth, but in reality, many endure low salaries and long hours. Over a number of budgets, this Government has raised the allowance for selfemployed/proprietary directors to bring it in line with PAYE workers. I am surprised Charlie Weston would not welcome this reform and he should possibly visit a few start-up companies which are creating employment and taking risks.

Finally, there was a statistic — that out of five start-up companies, only two will survive. We need to create a positive environment for start-up businesses to assist business owners and give them similar benefits to other PAYE workers. Peter Doyle, Castletroy,

Limerick

School of thought

Sir — Good to see that Miriam O’Callaghan (Sunday Independent, October 28) takes no credit for the increased listenership during the summer months, 12,000 up on Sean O’Rourke’s show.

It’s very simple to see where the extra numbers come from, in early June we have over 59,000 secondary/third-level teachers off work for three months, while at the end of June, we have a further 36,000 primary teachers off. That 12.5pc of these would tune into RTE1 each morning should not surprise anyone. Margaret Winters, Skerries, Co Dublin

Irish diaspora vote

Sir — It would be nice to see some national politicians support the cause of Irish people living abroad getting the opportunity to vote in all elections and referenda that take place in the Republic of Ireland.

This happens already, in some countries, whose citizens live and work abroad to support their families. They are then given the right to vote in their own countries’ elections. Michael A Rafter,

Co Sligo

No comment

Sir — It was like watching an excerpt of a sci-fi movie from 40 years ago, as if they were robots, they walk out of their protected cocoons to protest about people who molest women as part of their perks. They are asked by the press to express their feelings about these sexual assaults their bosses have committed on them and they answer by saying we have no comment. What sort of brainwashing is that? Then someone tells the press people to move a certain distance so that they are not allowed talk to these brainwashed slaves of Google. Is this our future? David Hennessy, Dublin 4

Birthplace plight

Sir — It is unfortunate, that in highlighting Matt Doherty’s ‘plight’ within Martin O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland soccer squad (Sunday Independent, October 14), Eamonn Sweeney chose to demean Irish citizens born outside the island of Ireland with his references to ‘English’ players and his contention that Ireland is only a second choice for players not good enough for England.

It hardly seems credible, but Mr Sweeney would seem to need reminding that as a child in the womb, you don’t actually have a choice where you are born, when, for example, your parents are forced to leave Ireland, and essentially become economic refugees, because of the failed policies of this State.

Patrick C Kennedy