An analysis carried out by the Revenue on the 2010 tax year shows the average effective tax paid by the highest earners increased from 5 per cent in 2006 to its stated target of 30 per cent four years later.

It meant this group of 387 individuals earning more than €400,000 paid an additional €53 million in tax in 2010, almost double the amount of tax they would have paid that year had the new restrictions not been in place.

Six years ago, analysis by the Revenue of the tax returns of the 400 highest earning individuals showed a substantial majority were paying zero tax or tax of 10 per cent or less.

2006. *sigh* Good times.