Ireland winning battle to retain corporate tax rate

EFFORTS to ensure Ireland is not forced to increase its corporation tax rate took a significant step forward at the weekend.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan received a commitment from his fellow EU finance ministers to deal with the issue at their level, rather than by member state leaders at their high-profile summits. He has managed to de-couple the issue from the cut in the interest rate on Ireland’s bailout loan and said that the only outstanding issue is when the interest rate reduction will come into force.

Mr Noonan had a one-on-one meeting with Germany’s Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble, during the two-day event in Budapest.