If it?s not bad enough that U2?s latest album has elicited a chorus of overwhelming indifference, lead singer Bono?s high-profile work to shame wealthy nations? governments into shoveling more money into anti-poverty foreign aid has led to charges of hypocrisy:
‘U2 might publicly support development aid to Africa, but it is taking advantage of the same tax-avoidance schemes that multinational companies use to deprive developing countries of important revenue.’ HANS ZOMER, director of Dochas, an association of Irish development groups, blasting U2 for relocating assets overseas after Ireland ended a tax-free deal for artists
‘Ireland will have to find other ways of being competitive.’ BONO, criticizing the law change and noting the group’s actions were legal
If Bono knew more about global tax competition and the limited benefits of foreign aid, he might be able to craft a better answer to Zomer?s silly criticism.
