The Taoiseach has told attendees at the American Chamber of Commerce annual Thanksgiving dinner that the 52% rate of tax will be reduced to 50% in next October's budget.

The rate on earnings below €70,000 is already due to reduce to 51% from January.

Enda Kenny said the rate will be reduced further if Fine Gael is re-elected.

He was referring to the marginal rate of tax, which includes PRSI and the Universal Social Charge.

Mr Kenny said: "We understand that Ireland's high rates of personal taxation are something that has to be addressed if we are to remain internationally competitive for highly-skilled, mobile investment projects."

He added that he said "before the budget that the 52% tax rate is anti-employment, anti-enterprise and anti-investment".

Mr Kenny also said that he wrote to US President Barack Obama to welcome his reforms to help undocumented migrants.

US Ambassador to Ireland Kevin O'Malley said the Taoiseach's leadership and judgement was in great part responsible for the recovery.

The ambassador said Americans everywhere give thanks for their blessings on this day.

Small group of protesters greet Taoiseach as he arrives at Dublin City Hall. He didn't stop to speak to them or us pic.twitter.com/B9nBeHRUFC — Colman O'Sullivan (@colmanos) November 27, 2014

Earlier, a small number of protesters were waiting for the Taoiseach as he arrived at an Age Friendly City event at Dublin City Hall today.

About 15 people chanted "no way we won't pay" and other slogans as he went into the building.