Dáil to unite on keeping tax rate

EU ATTEMPTS to force Ireland to raise its corporation tax were set to be met with a Dáil show of defiance today.

As the Government came under renewed European pressure to increase the 12.5% rate as part of a bailout re-negotiation trade-off, TDs were expected to put on a rare show of unity.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin will move a motion backing retention of the current rate as part of his policy of “constructive” opposition. He said the tax rate was essential for battling unemployment and keeping the economy competitive enough to meet the repayment terms and projected growth rates in the EU-IMF deal.