Council presidency ‘a valuable opportunity’

Ireland’s upcoming presidency of the European Council could unlock billions of euro worth of new investment from the US, according to the country’s corporate representative here.

American Chamber of Commerce president, Peter O’Neill yesterday said Ireland’s term of office — the first six months of 2013 — also marks “a valuable opportunity” for Ireland to explain, “persuasively”, to our partners why the issue of safeguarding our 12.5% corporate tax rate is so critical.

Speaking to the 400 delegates attending yesterday’s annual American Chamber Thanksgiving Lunch, Mr O’Neill backed the Government’s goal to launch talks on a new EU-US trade deal during its presidency.