EU opens new front for Ireland as court overrules Apple's €13bn tax ruling

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said a ruling the Government need not retrieve €13bn in back taxes from Apple has vindicated the Government but warned Ireland faces tougher battles as the European Commission appears to have opened up a new front over taxing digital companies. 

The EU General Court upheld appeals from Ireland and Apple saying the Commission had failed to show that Ireland had abused state-aid rules when the Revenue handed down tax directions for Apple companies in Ireland that were involved in managing the phone giant’s global tax affairs.