Apple tax money gives State ‘options’ but it’s ‘irresponsible’ to make commitments [Video]

TAOISEACH SIMON HARRIS has said that the €13 billion windfall from the Apple tax case which the State has begun to withdraw from an Escrow fund provides “options” to the Government for the future, but was hesitant to make any commitments.

Yesterday marked the end of a long-running legal saga after the highest court in the EU ruled that Apple must pay Ireland at least €13 billion in unpaid taxes after it was found Ireland gave “unlawful aid” to the firm.

Speaking in Tullamore, Co Offaly for the Fine Gael Party Think In, the Taoiseach welcomed the end of the case and was quick to remind reporters that the legislation the case was based on was legacy tax arrangements.

“I think it was important that the Irish Government, and successive Irish Governments, stood by the independence of our revenue in relation to these matters,” the Taoiseach added.

When asked today what the money may be used for, the Taoiseach said he …