Health Minister Simon Harris has asked the HSE for a report following revelations it bowed to demands by a pharmaceutical company for a 600% price increase for cancer drugs.

Legal costs fighting the EU’s investigation into Apple’s taxes have so far cost the State over €1m, a figure which will rise in the coming years with Ireland’s appeal over the case.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan has reiterated that there is simply no question that the Irish authorities sought to give Apple any kind of special tax deal.