Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

——and, in budget 2009, I re-affirmed the Government's commitment to the 12.5% rate of corporation tax and to maintaining and enhancing our pro-business tax policies. In addition, the recently passed Finance Act introduces a number of very significant changes to the research and development tax credit scheme as well as a number of other pro-business tax measures. It is important that we maintain that element of our tax system so that we can continue to attract investment into this country and nurture our indigenous sector.

We have agreed with the social partners that whatever taxation measures are to be introduced will be informed by the principles of fairness with a higher proportion falling on higher incomes and that they will support the productive sector of our economy so that we can keep Ireland competitive.

See this speech in context