Ireland an attractive place to do busineess, says Heinz chief

A leading International businessman says Ireland is still an attractive place to invest.

The president and chief executive of Heinz is praising the country's skilled and productive labour force and the 12.5% corporate tax rate.

The company employs 250 people at a production plant in Dundalk in Co Louth.

Bill Johnson, speaking at the US Embassy annual conference in Dublin, said that businesses that invest here are not burdened by excessive taxes that stifle competition, job creation and growth.

"Ireland continues to be an attractive place to do business, and many other global companies have discovered this by establishing factories an operations in the country," he said.

"It's a leader in foreign investment per capita for many reasons, most noticeably the availability of skilled labour, the productivity of the Irish workforce, and your success in stimulating business investment over the years, through legislation and attractive corporate tax rates."