The president of the American Chamber of Commerce has said US firms in Ireland will give their full support to efforts to restore the country's economic fortunes.
Dr Paul Duffy was speaking at an American Chamber lunch in Dublin.
He said the requirements were simple. 'We have to export more innovative and higher value goods and services at more competitive prices than our competitors. That means we have to lower our costs,' Dr Duffy said.
He also called on Ireland to reject the trend towards protectionism - calling it an 'easy refuge' - and support for the Lisbon Treaty.
Dr Duffy accepted the need to widen the tax base, but said the 12.5% rate of corporation tax had to be maintained.
