Irish Green Party Media Release
Tuesday 30th August 2016
Commission ruling on Apple tax bill should signal move towards international tax justice
The Green Party today said that the Government should not appeal the European Commission’s ruling that Apple avoided tax to the tune of €13 billion through illegal state, and to do so would be ‘wasting time’.
The Party also called for the ruling to act as a signal to enhance cooperation on combatting tax evasion, and urged the Government to work towards greater tax transparency and tax justice.
Speaking following the ruling, Green Party Finance Spokesperson, Cllr Mark Dearey, said:
“This is a hugely significant decision by the European Commission. This tax deal with Apple has done serious damage to Ireland’s international reputation. In our view, the Government should not appeal the Commission’s findings. The Commission’s investigation was incredibly thorough, and their findings very detailed. The strength of the ruling, in our opinion, is indicative of the strength of the case and the Commission’s confidence in their findings. The Government would be wasting its time in appealing.
“Although the headline figure of €13 billion is staggering, we may not see anything like that figure for the public finances, given the specifics of the ruling. Other EU countries may claim some of the windfall, and some may be repatriated to the US.
“This ruling should act as real incentive to push for tax justice and transparency at an international level. We cannot allow a situation where the most profitable company in the world is paying €50 in tax on every million euro profit. We urge the Government to work with our EU partners, the OECD and other international organisations to put an end to unjust tax evasion. Allowing this ruling to develop into a tax war between the EU, member states and the US is not in anyone’s interests.
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Fore more information please contact Gavin Nugent, Press Secretary Comhaontas Glas at press@greenparty.ie
