Confronting Wealth Inequality in Ireland with Tom McDonnell

Tom McDonnell is co-director of the Nevin EconomicResearch Institute in Dublin and was one of three researchers who compiled a report for Oxfam published in January 2026 titled Confronting Wealth Inequality in Ireland.  In this episode, Tom sets out the report’s economic, social and democratic case for a tax on extreme wealth, alongside the need for Ireland to take a principled position in internationalnegotiations on global tax justice.  He persuasively outlines the potential benefits from introducing a wealth tax includingclamping down on tax evasion, raising revenue for public services, and reducing inequality.  He also argues the case fora global tax framework administered by the UN that would help stem the drain of finances from the global South to the global North.