185 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Finance his proposals to amend the 10% rate of manufacturing tax, either domestically or as a result of EU requirements; and if he will make a statement on the way in which he envisages this tax will operate in the foreseeable future. [6552/02]

I have no plans to amend the provisions concerning the 10% rate of manufacturing tax which are set out in the Finance Act, 1999. That Act provides for a general rate of corporation tax of 12.5% on trading income into the future without time limit from 1 January 2003 and for the retention of certain conditions of existing pre-July 1998 entitlements to the 10% rate until 2005 for IFSC and Shannon companies and 2010 for manufacturing companies generally.