Taoiseach Enda Kenny has stressed how vital it is that the country remains "very much open for business" at a management conference in Sandyford.

Addressing over 250 executives at the Irish Management Institute's (IMI) National Management Conference, Kenny also pledged that Budget 2017 would include measures to safeguard the country against the negative effects of Brexit.

He stated that the budget in two weeks' time would see an increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit to match the PAYE credit as outlined in the Programme for Government.

Kenny said:

"Thanks to a recovering economy the Government was in a position to lower the tax burden on workers in the two previous Budgets to bring the marginal tax rate to below 50% this year, the first time since the crisis escalated in 2009.

"The Government will take another step to lower that tax burden by cutting the Universal Social Charge further. This is in line with our Programme for Government commitment to continue to phase out the USC entirely."

Kenny drew attention to the fact that in the first six months of the year, "115 new investments were secured, creating 9,100 new jobs in the coming years."

He argued that our reputation for policy stability, a business-friendly environment and highly-skilled workforce was as important as new jobs and investments to ensure Ireland's continued success and attractiveness.