Irish Examiner view: Major downsides to Ireland's €13bn Apple tax windfall

The European Union Court of Justice has ruled that the European Commission was correct in its 2016 ruling that Apple should pay Ireland over €13bn in taxes. Picture: Alamy

The long-running Apple tax saga took a decisive twist yesterday, with the European Union Court of Justice’s ruling that the European Commission was correct in its 2016 ruling that Apple should pay Ireland over €13bn in taxes.

In a statement yesterday, the Government tried to distance itself from previous regimes by stating that case is now of historical relevance only, but the damage has been done to Ireland’s international reputation as an attractive destination for large multinational companies — such as Apple itself, which employs 6,000 people in Cork.