Sir, – In 1662, 350 years ago, a tax on fire hearths was introduced in Ireland, England and Wales. The tax gave the collectors the right to enter each house, to verify that the number of hearths specified by the occupier was correct.
The tax remained in operation in England and Wales until 1690, when it was removed because it was “a badge of slavery upon the whole people exposing every man’s house to be entered into and searched at pleasure by persons unknown to him”, thus “restoring their rights and liberties which have been invaded contrary to law”. It remained on the Irish statute books until the 19th century, but the right of the collectors to search individual houses was repealed in 1795.
Now, we hear that a new property tax is to be introduced in Ireland next year, and if the valuation from the revenue commissioners is rejected by a home-owner, revenue officials will have the right to enter individual homes, to determine the value of the property. Seemingly, what was viewed as inappropriate, and as a “badge of slavery” in the 17th and 18th centuries, is considered acceptable in 21st-century Ireland.
Isn’t it extraordinary that “my home is my castle” carried greater weight in pre-democratic Ireland! – Yours, etc,