Macron insists he is not pressuring Ireland over corporation tax

The French president has insisted he is not pressuring Ireland over its corporate tax rate.

Emmanuel Macron was in Dublin today for his first official visit to Ireland.

Speaking at a press conference after a meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, President Macron said Ireland and France would continue to “cooperate and work well together”.

France is one of the main drivers of the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) project to set a new international minimum rate of 15% for corporation tax.

Ireland’s rate is considered by many countries to be controversial at 12.5%.

President Macron has said the post-COVID world will require sweeping changes to the “classic business model”.

“But it’s up to you to lead and decide for yourselves,” he said. “It’s not up to France to put pressure.”

He said the OECD plan “made sense” given the challenges the world is currently facing.

“I want to believe that together we will find the right path in order to provide a common framework and to provide this minimum taxation because I think it makes sense,” he said.

The government has previously said it awaits more clarity on the OECD plan – with the finance minister noting that clear details on how it could be rolled out are expected to be available early next year.

The Taoiseach told the press conference that Ireland had had constructive discussions with the OECD on the plan.

A note written by French President Emmanuel Macron in the government buildings welcome book in Dublin, 26-08-2021. Image: Julien Behal Photography

French President Emmanuel Macron with Taoiseach Micheál Martin in government buildings, 26-08-2021. Image: Julien Behal Photography

Earlier today, in a note thanking the Taoiseach for welcoming him to Ireland, Emmanuel Macron wrote that “the common work of friendship between our two countries and the European Union is essential”.

President Macron and the ministers he is traveling with will attend a working dinner tonight hosted by President Michael D Higgins in Áras an Uachtarain.

Reporting by Kacey O’Riordan

The main image shows French President Emmanuel Macron speaking at a press conference in Dublin, 26-08-2021. Image: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Pool Photo via AP