PAC to question companies including  Apple and Google on taxes

Six multinationals including Apple and Google are set to be hauled before the Dáil’s financial watchdog next year to explain the amount of tax they pay in Ireland amid concerns about loopholes in the system.

The public accounts committee has confirmed it will ask tech firms Apple and Google, financial institutions JP Morgan and Citibank, and pharmaceuticals GSK and Pfizer to appear in the wake of the Paradise Papers and Revenue tax take concerns.

Speaking at the latest meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) as questions continue over whether Apple will go ahead with its planned Athenry data centre, committee chairman and Fianna Fáil TD Sean Fleming said he wants all six of the “big players” to answer questions on their taxes early next year.