Who is for and who is against the Apple tax ruling appeal
IN FAVOUR OF AN APPEAL
Finance Minister Michael Noonan has repeatedly reiterated the view that he does not believe the State engaged in illegal aid to Google and has pushed to appeal the ruling.
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Finance Michael McGrath TD said, “We remain strongly of the view that Ireland needs to aggressively defend its position and reject any attempt by the Commission to take control of the country's tax policy by the back door. It is control over our own tax policies that allows us to create and protect jobs.
Labour leader Brendan Howlin said automatically accepting any ruling could be regarded as an effort by the European Commission to determine Ireland’s tax policy “by the back door”.
He added: “Tax policy is one of the remaining areas that remains entirely at the discretion of individual member states.”
Unlike some members of the Independent Alliance he has come out strongly in favour of an appeal.
He told local paper, the“We have got to show that if multinational companies come in here, if they get into difficulty, we are here to protect them.”
The Galway East TD has yet to openly comment but it is understood he would back an appeal.
The Minister for Communications has also remained tight-lipped but is expected to back an appeal.
UNDECIDED
The Independent Alliance TD has said the grouping was initially very concerned about the ruling but he is waiting until today to make any decisions.
Has said the complex document needs to be studied and likewise will be waiting until today to decide.
Mr Halligan yesterday said it was “regretful” that Apple is paying such a low tax rat but he added that he does not believe the controversy “should bring down the Government”. He called for a debate on the matter next week.
During Wednesday’s cabinet meeting the Children’s Minister called for time to examine the ruling.
She met with the Attorney General for two hours yesterday morning to seek clarity on a number of issues and followed this up with separate meetings with independent tax experts.
AGAINST AN APPEAL
The party has called for the Dáil to be recalled next week to debate the EU Commission ruling on Apple’s tax arrangements in Ireland. Sinn Féin Finance spokesman Pearse Doherty has written to Mr Noonan to ask that the EU Commission ruling be published immediately. He has also demanded a public inquiry be established to look into who facilitated the State’s “sweetheart deal” with Apple.
Said it would be “immoral” to appeal the European Commission’s Apple tax ruling, even considering the legal and political complexities to the case.
Catherine Murphy of the Social Democrats has said it would be “totally intolerable” for the State to challenge the ruling.
Strongly against any appeal.
