O'Keeffe: Corporation tax not an issue for negotiation
The Enterprise Minister Batt O'Keeffe has categorically denied that an increase in the corporation tax rate is on the cards.
Yesterday, Austria's Finance Minister suggested Ireland should have to raise the tax in return for any rescue loan from the EU and the IMF.
The 12.5% rate is a cornerstone of Ireland's policy for attracting foreign investment.
Mr O'Keeffe dismissed any suggestions that it is about to change.
He said: "I want to emphatically say the 12.5% corporation tax is not an issue for negotiation.
"It is a constant part of our attraction for foreign direct investment and it is a percentage that we, as a government, are detemined to keep in place."
