Bruton 'not concerned' by EU ruling on tax deals

The Jobs Minister Richard Bruton has said the Government is not "particularly concerned" by an EU ruling that 'sweetheart' tax deals between multinational companies and member states are unlawful.

The European Commission finding means Starbucks and Fiat will have to pay as much as €30m each in back taxes to Netherlands and Luxembourg.

It is likely to increase the pressure on companies like Apple - which have been the focus of international scrutiny over the use of tax structures like 'the Double Irish' here.

However, Minister Richard Bruton has said he is not worried.

“No decision has been made in respect of Apple and as you know the Irish Government have fully engaged with the commission on this and set out our case,” Minister Bruton said.

“So I don’t think we have a particular concern, you know we have made big changes in our corporate tax code in the last two years, we believe we have a very robust code that is open and transparent and clear for all to see.”