Cabinet fails to agree on appeal against Apple tax ruling

Finance Minister Michael Noonan yesterday failed to persuade his Cabinet colleagues to back an appeal aimed at overturning the European Commission’s €13 billion tax ruling against Ireland and Apple.

There was no agreement between members of governing Fine Gael and their Independent Alliance coalition partners at the end of yesterday’s Cabinet meeting.

Independent TD and Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone has suggested creating “a role for the Oireachtas and the public accounts committee” in deciding the Government’s response to the major ruling.

Speaking after the meeting, she said: “Given the complex issues involved, it would have been wrong to rush into a decision today.”

Dr Zappone added: “Over the past 24 hours I have consulted independent experts in the area of taxation, campaigners and the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan.

“I welcome the fact that the Taoiseach and Cabinet colleagues have recognised my concerns and are allowing time for the issues to be further explored and addressed.”

Sinn Féin party whip Aengus Ó Snodaigh has written to Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl and other whips to request a recall of the Dáil to debate the ruling, The Irish Times reports.

A similar push by the Independent Alliance for a Dáil recall was reportedly resisted at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting.

A further meeting focussed on the tax ruling will take place tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Apple is reportedly instructing London firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer on its own appeal against the ruling.

Andreas von Bonin, a Freshfields partner in Brussels, is expected to be heading up the Apple team.

The Lawyer reports that Apple is speaking to a number of Irish firms to be instructed alongside Freshfields and is also involving US firm Gibson Dunn & Crutcher.