Answering the €13bn question - Apple tax deal

THE €13bn question most people are asking today is why the Irish Government is not keeping that huge sum following yesterday’s declaration by the European Commission that Apple, the richest company in history, owes Ireland that amount in unpaid and allegedly illegal tax benefits from a sweetheart deal between the State and the tech conglomerate.

Those in favour of grabbing the money believe — wrongly, according to EU rules — it should be used to reform Ireland’s ailing public health service; or could be used to modernise the education system, house the homeless; or invested in badly needed infrastructure improvements. It could, however, be used to reduce the national debt.

The position adopted by both the Government and Apple is one of fundamental disagreement with the commission’s analysis. They argue that no sweetheart deal with Apple existed and intend to immediately appeal the verdict. Sorting out the row between Dublin and Brussels promises to be a long and complex legal process which could go on for years, with lawyers laughing all the way to the bank.