Business Post's View

Editorial: Highest ever tax returns reflect a healthy economy, no matter what the naysayers claim

The decision taken decades ago to focus on foreign direct investment created the dynamic and modern economy we have today – so we should stop beating ourselves up about the healthy state of our tax revenues

This year’s huge tax receipts are the fruits of a national success story. Picture: Fergal Phillips

Another month, another bumper set of tax revenues for the Irish state. The exchequer returns for November showed that income, corporate and value-added tax receipts were the highest ever. For last month alone, corporate taxes yielded €5 billion, or €1 billion more than the same time last year. Income taxes were €600 million ahead, while Vat receipts were also strong.

The year-to-date figures are even more remarkable. Total tax revenue in the 11 months to ...