http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QTHX_OZZjg
JOBS MINISTER RICHARD Bruton and Justice Minister Alan Shatter would not answer questions about the tax affairs of U2 or the Arthur’s Day event planned for later this week at a press briefing earlier.
The two ministers appeared before the media to discuss the Seanad referendum but when asked about Bono’s comments in The Observer yesterday explaining U2′s decision to move their publishing arm to the Netherlands to reduce the band’s tax bill, Bruton said only that Ireland has a “transparent tax code”.
When asked about the Diageo-organised Arthur’s Day event planned for this Thursday, Shatter would not comment about concerns regarding possible increases in public order incidents as a result of the event. (Watch the full exchange above)
A short time later at a press conference in Iveagh House, the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said he would not talk the “individual tax matters” of his constituents – of which Bono is one – but joked that his door is open if the frontman wishes to discuss such issues:
Earlier, three former Labour TDs urged Bono and U2 to bring their tax affairs back to Ireland.
Dublin North-East deputy Tommy Broughan described U2 as the “greatest rock band by far that came out of Ireland” but said Bono’s “first duty is to his people”:
YouTube videos: Hugh O’Connell
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