Kenny: Corporation Tax will not be changed

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny has fired another warning shot to Europe on Corporation Tax, again saying he will not consent to any change in the rate.

Mr Kenny made the comments during a special Dáil sitting to mark Europe Day.

European Commissioner for Research and Innovation Máire Geoghegan Quinn, as well as MEP's from the North and Republic of Ireland, are attending the event.

Mr Kenny said he remains confident Ireland will get a cut in the interest rate on the European portion of the bailout deal.

But the Taoiseach issued a fresh warning to our EU partners that the country's 12.5% Corporation Tax rate is not up for discussion.

Mr Kenny said: "Our 12.5% rate of Corporation Tax is, and will remain, a cornerstone of this country's economic policy. It cannot be changed without our consent, and to put things as plainly as possible, that consent will not be forthcoming.

"It does nobody credit to call it into question or to seek to link movement on this issue to relief elsewhere."