Wally,
You post very logical opinions.
Like you I have no problem at all with paying my taxes, what I do have great issue with is being dictated to with regard to which country I pay them in. Irish taxes are very high and will get higher in an attempt by the Irish Government to claw back their sick economy at the expense of the average tax payer.
"I personally think this is a good thing from a social responsibility perspective, although it will cost me dearly compared to the old contract."
Agreed, but if Brookfield/Ryanair had genuine concerns about "employees" paying their taxes they would do the real decent thing and put all staff on the books and face up to the legitimate and normal overheads associated with running a business. This scheme has not been put in place because they are ethical, it only exists because the various authorities are on their case and its their last attempt at clinging on to the "self employed" unfair financial advantage that they have against their competitors.
I assure you that the UK tax authorities are going to stop this scam for UK pilots, I have no idea of that timescale though.
Cadet