Apple appeal is likely to fail, finance committee told

Separate appeals by Ireland and Apple against the EU Commission’s ruling that the iPhone maker must pay back €13bn to the Irish exchequer is likely to fail and is not in the public interest, a leading academic has told TDs and senators.

Jim Stewart, associate professor at the TCD School of Business, told the Oireachtas Finance Committee the appeal by the Government was “high-risk” because it could take years.

He said: “There is a high risk that by appealing this case, a number of EU governments and perhaps more important public opinion in EU countries will interpret this appeal as support for Apple’s tax strategy.