Madam, - Like Ronan Tynan (November 22nd), I too was struck by the bizarre turn of phrase used by Bono in defence of U2's decision to move the band's royalty tax obligations out of Ireland. His comment that "this country's prosperity came out of tax innovation so it would be sort of churlish to criticise U2 for doing what we were encouraged to do and what brought all these companies to Ireland in the first place" is extraordinary.
As for the use of the archaic word churlish, from "churl", a peasant or ill-bred person, clearly it is not for the common herd to question the integrity of those inhabiting the upper strata of society.
I applaud Bono's efforts to end third world debt, but in light of his request for governments to increase their aid contributions, his band's action in reducing its own tax obligation is both hypocritical and indefensible. - Yours, etc,
MICHAEL KENNA, Knocklyon, Dublin 16.
Madam, - Ronan Tynan questions the commitment of Bono to the financial needs of the third world when he seeks to avoid paying tax by moving much of his business out of Ireland. Several years ago I was in Buenos Aires when U2 came to town and I was a little surprised to find they charged European prices for their concert at the River Plate Stadium, thereby excluding the vast majority of their many fans in Argentina.
Finishing their concert by introducing the brave "Mothers of Plaza de Mayo" on stage to a privileged audience was like inviting Joe Higgins to address a Fianna Fáil convention. At the end of the day it was all about making U2 feel good. - Yours, etc,
JOHN T. KAVANAGH, Braemor Road Dublin 14.