Luxembourg blasts rate of corporation tax in Ireland

Ireland’s low tax rates for companies were the subject of criticism from the Luxembourg prime minister who demanded “fair competition” within the EU.

Speaking following a meeting with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, prime minister Xavier Bettel took aim at what he saw is the unlevel playing field in tax rates in some EU countries.

Without directly referencing Ireland’s 12.5% corporate tax rate, Mr Bettel said it is politically untenable to have workers charged up to 45% in tax when companies pay little or no tax at all.