GOVERNMENT TO TAX PLAYING OF TUNES WITH WATER REFERENCES IN THEIR NAME

The Irish Government and has announced plans to introduce a tax on traditional Irish tunes with any reference to water in the name, much to the infuriation of Irish musicians.

This statement comes after the Government promised the Irish public that taxing tunes with water mentioned in the name would never happen and that it was a waste of tax payers’ money to regulate such a charge.

But the charge is due to be introduced nonetheless with Labour leader Joan Burton outlining details of the charges in the Dáil this evening.

“For tunes played on their own there will be a flat charge of €3 but this will increase when they are played in a set. There is also a charge for the number of people playing the tune.”

“In a solo set there will be a charge of €60 but in duets, trios and other larger groups there is a flat fee of €160. This is not expensive and we expect reasonable people to pay the charge. This payment will also be enshrined in law for the next four years.”

The Irish public has decried this announcement and protestors have called on musicians to rip up their registration forms and not pay the charge. Opposition leaders have criticised the Government’s decision saying that the tax is unconstitutional.

“This isn’t about tunes anymore. This is about fleecing the pockets of the music playing public! They are already paying for these tunes! Every time a pint is bought at a session, part of that cost is going towards these tunes!”

Tunes that are likely to be affected include ‘Going to the Well for Water’, ‘Out on the Ocean’, ‘The Rainy Day’, ‘The Boyne Hunt’ and ‘The Boys of the Lough.’ There is also due to be a separate charge for any musician playing in or is from County Waterford.