The Jobs Minister Richard Bruton has denied that his US trade mission was prompted by fears of losing investment after abolishing the 'double Irish' tax loophole.

His five day investment and trade visit is the first since the government announced plans to phase out the measure, which is used by firms like Google and Apple to dramatically cut their tax bills.

The mission includes one-on-one meetings with 17 target and client companies considering new job-creation projects in Ireland.

Mr Bruton will be accompanied by IDA Chief Executive Martin Shanahan on the trip to Boston, Washington DC, Philadelphia and New York - which involves a total of 27 meetings and events.

The programme also includes a bilateral meeting with Mike Froman, the US trade representative who is leading negotiations on the EU-US trade and investment negotiations.

These were started during the Irish presidency of the EU Trade Council.

Mr Bruton says he has been explaining corporate tax changes to American investors and has received a positive reaction.

He told Newstalk Breakfast from Boston that he was not forced into the mission by nervous companies.