Emergency cabinet meeting scheduled in wake of Apple tax crisis

An emergency cabinet meeting will be convened later today after the Apple tax crisis caused a fresh split between Fine Gael and the Independent Alliance, with one junior minister refusing to confirm if he will remain in office.

The unplanned meeting had been scheduled yesterday morning amid Fine Gael’s continuing insistence Ireland cannot accept the €13bn tax return, and the Independent Alliance warning of the consequences of refusing the windfall.

Responding to the European Commission decision, Finance Minister Michael Noonan stressed his party believed there was “no economic basis” for the Apple tax ruling.