Kenny must bring unity to Cabinet - Apple tax bill

AS a deeply divided Cabinet meets in a crunch session today, perhaps the most positive argument that embattled Taoiseach Enda Kenny can bring to the table is the commitment to Ireland and jobs reinforced by Apple boss Tim Cook.

Cabinet unity is absolutely vital as the minority government and the richest company in the world combine forces to appeal in the European courts against an EU claim that Apple owes Ireland €13bn in unpaid taxes resulting from an illegal sweetheart deal.

Inevitably, Mandy Rice Davies’ famous quip — ‘He would say that, wouldn’t he?’ — comes to mind about much of what Mr Cook had to say in the blazing row over the European Commission demand that Apple pay up. On the other hand, the advice from Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary, who has often locked horns with Brussels, is that as an autonomous tax authority, Ireland “should politely tell them to bugger off”.