The French President has insisted he is not putting pressure on Ireland over its corporation tax rate.

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

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

France is one of the main drivers behind the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) plan to set a new 15% international minimum rate of corporation tax.

Ireland's rate is considered by many countries to be controversially low at 12.5%.

French President Emmanuel Macron with the Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Government Buildings, 26-08-2021. Image: Julien Behal Photography

President Macron said the post-COVID world will require in-depth changes to the “classical business model.”

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

He said the OECD plan “makes sense” considering the challenges currently facing the world.

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

The Government has previously said it was waiting for more clarity on the OECD plan – with the Finance Minister noting that clear details on how it might be rolled out should be available early next year.

The Taoiseach told the press conference that Ireland has held constructive talks with the OECD about the plan.

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

French President Emmanuel Macron with the Taoiseach Micheál Martin at 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 shared work for friendship between our two countries and the European Union is essential.”

President Macron and the ministers he is travelling with will this evening attend a working dinner hosted by President Michael D Higgins at Áras an Uachtarain.

Reporting from Kacey O'Riordan

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