WHEN

the dismal Economic and Social Research Institute came out with its familiar mantra this week that there ‘was no scope for income tax decreases’, it was heralded as an ‘independent body’. So the impression is that the Government is given cover for continuing to impose penal income-tax rates on middle income families by a totally impartial think tank.

However, in fact, a significant part of its funding comes from the hard-pressed taxpayer in the form of an annual grant, and much of the ESRI’s research work is commissioned by Government departments and bodies.

Perhaps it should adorn its plush offices in central Dublinwith a new motto: ‘The flogging of the taxpayer will continue until morale improves.’