Government: EU plan will not affect corporate tax rate

THE Government’s most senior figures have moved to quell growing fears that the country’s low-corporate tax regime will be threatened by European plans to pre-police national budgets.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen said nothing contained in the 11-page discussion document from the European Commission would impact on Ireland’s tax policy.

“The proposal coming from the commission is not, never has been, and never will be a threat to our corporation tax rate,” he said.