[tablewatcher]

The window tax, along with the Chimney tax was implemented in a lot of countries in that era, including England. The current effective rate of tax is 55% in Ireland along (with a sales tax of 23%) for people earning the highest level of wages (the entry criteria into this highest rate is the lowest in Europe). You get minimal services for that, including a passable heathcare system where everyone still needs private health insurance. Road taxes, Property tax, Water charges, Capital gain are all exceptionally high so I really don't see the current situation better than past times except for material changes. The low corporation tax rate utilised by foreign multinationals is another slap in the face where the citizens are charged one rate and the corporations another.