You might have heard about the controversy at Glastonbury, where a group called 'Art Uncut' unveiled a large banner attacking U2 for moving their corporate base to Holland, so as to pay less tax. This was around the same time that Bono attacked the Irish Government for not spending enough taxpayers money on foreign aid (which is often given to corrupt dictators). Here are two links to articles about this issue, one by Michael O'Doherty in the Evening Herald and one by Ian O'Doherty in the Indo.


link

link


Leaving aside any thoughts about his music, what do people think about this aspect of U2's past and present? Is Bono a hero, who's just taking advantage of a loophole like any of us would given the chance? Or is he a hypocrite who believes that there is one set of rules for him and another for everyone else?

Seamus89 (Kilkenny) - Posts: 3848 - 28/06/2011 11:09:32    968983

HYPOCRITE!!

pig.ignorant (Derry) - Posts: 655 - 28/06/2011 11:29:08    969002

good stage man but full of the brown. Encouraging the government to spend more money on foreign aid when there no money in the country. Loves the sound of his own voice. one of Irelands greatest my arse

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 28/06/2011 11:43:30    969017

A little bit of both for me.

He has used his fame well in terms of highlighting issues and bringing the world's attention to 3rd world debt, poverty etc.

I'm not a massive U2 fan, like a few early songs, but I find it commendable how he's used his fame and whatever influence he has to help some worthwhile causes. U2 moving their business to Holland is another matter though.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13833 - 28/06/2011 11:47:57    969027

I think its wrong that funds have been transferred to avoid tax. So i have no problem with people protesting as that is hypocritical. However, as a performer Bono, and U2, are arguably the best in the business. They know how to put on a show in style without any gimmicks or fripperies that other performers need in their shows.

Tongo (UK) - Posts: 1795 - 28/06/2011 12:07:34    969055

The mans a dose, sick of listenin to him on his high horse. Good music though!

Brolly (Monaghan) - Posts: 4472 - 28/06/2011 12:17:21    969074

Great performer, but a massive hypocrite who talks a serious amount of rubbish!

jonny1951 (Mayo) - Posts: 1431 - 28/06/2011 12:19:09    969082

I admired his work in trying to clear third world debt. However the tax thing is hypocritical. U2 are also great live performers no matter how annoying and egotistical Bono can be.

roundball (Tipperary) - Posts: 2514 - 28/06/2011 12:19:59    969084

Is this thread about Seamas or Paul Hewson ?

dhorse (Laois) - Posts: 11374 - 28/06/2011 12:38:11    969120

Amazing the amount of journalist who've written about this and gotten the facts completely wrong.

Bono, Edge, Mullen and Clayton are all Irish tax resident, and pay tax (primarily at the high rate of 52% (including levies)) on all of their income.
They moved some of their business ventures to the Netherlands to reduce the amount of Corporation tax that these businesses pay, but every time U2 take a penny out of these businesses for personal use it's be fully taxable by Irish Revenue Commissioners.

U2 earn multiple millions annually, and with the artists' exemption having been capped at €250k, their personal income tax contribution to the Irish exchequer runs into the millions each and every year.

black&white (Sligo) - Posts: 1628 - 28/06/2011 12:41:12    969126

There is real poverty in this country. If Bono and all the other elite who took their money and invested elsewhere just put some of it back in to the Irish economy it would help the country no end.
I don't go for all this bullsh*t these superstars rant about re third world debt, rain forests and saving Wales. If they really really cared then why not give up all their wealth minus a million or two to third world countries.

thistle_harps (UK) - Posts: 879 - 28/06/2011 12:43:25    969131

Hypocrite! I can't stand the man.

men_of_49 (Meath) - Posts: 2019 - 28/06/2011 12:56:30    969164

thistle_harps
County: UK
Posts: 702

969131 There is real poverty in this country. If Bono and all the other elite who took their money and invested elsewhere just put some of it back in to the Irish economy it would help the country no end.
I don't go for all this bullsh*t these superstars rant about re third world debt, rain forests and saving Wales. If they really really cared then why not give up all their wealth minus a million or two to third world countries.

What's wrong with Wales? apart from being extremely West Brit?

dhorse (Laois) - Posts: 11374 - 28/06/2011 13:07:45    969180

men_of_49
County: Meath
Posts: 1675

969164 Hypocrite! I can't stand the man.

A bit Harsh. One needs to factor in his youth and sheltered existence before jumping to conclusions or hurling personal attacks. Forgive me if I seem biased, I am, I just hold him in such high esteem it hurts sometimes.

dhorse (Laois) - Posts: 11374 - 28/06/2011 13:12:48    969186

black&white
County: Sligo
Posts: 1433

969126 Amazing the amount of journalist who've written about this and gotten the facts completely wrong.

Bono, Edge, Mullen and Clayton are all Irish tax resident, and pay tax (primarily at the high rate of 52% (including levies)) on all of their income.
They moved some of their business ventures to the Netherlands to reduce the amount of Corporation tax that these businesses pay, but every time U2 take a penny out of these businesses for personal use it's be fully taxable by Irish Revenue Commissioners.

U2 earn multiple millions annually, and with the artists' exemption having been capped at €250k, their personal income tax contribution to the Irish exchequer runs into the millions each and every year.

_____________

Thank heavens someone intelligent posted. I was thinking that I'd have to give it a go.... pheeeewwww!! But more than likely the FM104 brigade dont want to listen to the facts - They are more interested in common place hear say.

That's much easier.

JinxyPoop (UK) - Posts: 1162 - 28/06/2011 13:15:13    969191

28/06/2011 12:43:25
thistle_harps
County: UK
Posts: 702

969131 There is real poverty in this country. If Bono and all the other elite who took their money and invested elsewhere just put some of it back in to the Irish economy it would help the country no end.
I don't go for all this bullsh*t these superstars rant about re third world debt, rain forests and saving Wales. If they really really cared then why not give up all their wealth minus a million or two to third world countries.

How do you know that they don't? I have worked with an Irish charity in the past and know that members of the band contributed significant donations...no press or media announcement requested

bubba83 (Dublin) - Posts: 333 - 28/06/2011 13:18:58    969201

Obviously I have heard of U2 but could not name one song they do.

Bono can use his position to TRY to get things done, but he is a massive hypocrite.

he is basically preaching for and advocating a better distribution of wealth, except his.

The only man in history to make David Trimble look interesting on a stage, well certainly in comparison to Bono.

patrique (Antrim) - Posts: 13709 - 28/06/2011 14:06:43    969288

Sure wouldn't we all pay less tax if we were able to???

PJ (None) - Posts: 2288 - 28/06/2011 14:47:13    969383

patrique
County: Antrim
Posts: 13242

969288 Obviously I have heard of U2 but could not name one song they do.

A lot of their stuff sounds like the late great Margaret Barry, less polished of course.

dhorse (Laois) - Posts: 11374 - 28/06/2011 16:29:02    969587

PJ
County: All
Posts: 1957

969383 Sure wouldn't we all pay less tax if we were able to???

Look on the bright side, we are all paying less tax now than we will be.

dhorse (Laois) - Posts: 11374 - 28/06/2011 16:30:41    969591