Health firm chief confident over corporation tax rate

THE US-based chief of one of the world’s leading eyecare product manufacturers has expressed confidence the Irish Government will “do the right thing” and maintain the current level of corporation tax.

Bausch & Lomb chief executive Brent Saunders said he was “supremely confident” the government understands the importance of not increasing the 12.5% rate because of its attractiveness to multi-national companies.

Speaking during a visit to Waterford, where the company employs 1,100 people and is investing US$100 million (€70m) in extra production lines, Mr Saunders said the two principal attractions for locating in Ireland are the corporation tax and the labour force.