Michael Noonan’s best option lies in targeted tax reliefs

The Apple controversy pushed much of the usual flurry of commentary and analysis of the forthcoming Budget to the background.

But irrespective of whether we should or shouldn’t appeal the Commission’s decision, whether we can or cannot collect the €13bn or, even if we do collect the €13bn, whether we can spend it on social housing, hospitals or schools, Budget 2017 will still go ahead in the middle of October.

For the record, we should appeal the decision, can’t collect the €13bn and really don’t know whether we could spend it in those areas even if we got the money.