Sir, - The Minister of Finance has proposed that a husband and wife both working outside the home will enjoy a doubling of the standard rate tax band of the single person. In fact, and as if to rub salt into the wound, it has been confirmed to me by the Revenue Commissioners by telephone today that work has little to do with it; rather, two incomes is the magic key. Accordingly even a retired couple where each has sufficient pension annuity or other income will enjoy the double allowance without either one actually being at work. How's that for a snooker? - Yours, etc.,
R. J. Cloughley, Rathdown Park, Terenure, Dublin 6W.