MEPs will debate the Apple judgment at a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg next Thursday, with the discussion preceded by statements on the European Court of Justice ruling from the European Commission and the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Ireland is set to get €14 billion from Apple after the European Court of Justice upheld the ruling of the European Commission that the tech giant had benefited from unfair and illegal tax arrangements, and had not paid enough tax here.
Noting yesterday's ruling of the European Court of Justice, IDA Ireland said the company is one of its valued clients.
Apple's operations in Cork opened in 1980 and today employs 6,000 people.
IDA Ireland said the Government's position has always been that Ireland does not give preferential tax treatment to any companies or taxpayers.
"Ireland is an active participant in international tax discussions and has also made necessary changes to its taxation regime as international tax rules have developed over time," IDA Ireland noted.
"There are many benefits to be realised by multinational companies who choose Ireland to locate their business. These include access to a well educated, English speaking, talented international workforce; barrier free access to the EU; and an innovative R&D eco system which companies can quickly tap into," it added.
Government reflecting on Apple tax ruling
The Minister for Enterprise says the Government is reflecting on the Apple judgment and the next Government will decide what to do with the money.
Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne, Peter Burke said the money will not be in the Exchequer for the next number of months.
He said some commentators are putting forward the view that "nearly €14 billion can be spent in one fell swoop and change everything almost overnight".
The Minister said the Government must get the balance right of how much debt is paid down and how much is put into other projects.
He also said he believed that the money could be spent in a number of areas, such as the national grid and capital expenditure, in a way that would not overheat the Irish economy.
Peter Burke said the Government had no choice but to defend the case because failure to do so would have sent a message to other multinational companies that Ireland did not trust its own independent tax authority.
He added that he did not believe the case has undermined Ireland's reputation.
Apple tax a legacy tax - O'Brien
Earlier, Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien said the Government accepts and respects the decision by the European Court of Justice on Apple tax.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, he said the Apple tax is a legacy tax, adding that the Government has made many significant changes to the Irish corporation tax regime in the intervening period.
"This dates back as far back to most recently 1991 and 2007. And so of course, the Government, as the Minister of Finance said yesterday, fully respect and accept the decision," he said.
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In relation to the Apple tax being immediately spent to build social and affordable housing, he said: "Our focus is on the Budget preparation and we're only a couple of weeks from there to bring forward a fair equitable progressive Budget".
"Most people would understand that Government would firstly assess the decision and we will as a collective, decide how best that monies can be invested and should be invested," he stated.
The Minister noted that the Government is investing significantly in housing already.
Mr O'Brien said that as Minister for Housing when the Government is sitting down and discussing how these additional funds will be allocated and how they would be invested, that of course housing will be central to that.
Additional reporting: Tony Connelly
