Government's appeal over Apple tax 'will deny Ireland €14 billion'

The Government is set to lose Ireland €14 billion worth of investment, a Sinn Fein TD has claimed.

Finance spokesman Pearse Doherty said yesterday’s Apple tax appeal at the EU’s General Court will deprive the State of “a windfall”.

He was speaking following the EU Commission’s 2016 ruling that the US multinational owed Revenue €14.3billion, having received preferential treatment since 1991.

Mr Doherty said: “Today the Government begins its appeal while €14.3billion sits in an escrow account that could be used to benefit Irish citizens for decades.

Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty (Liam McBurney/PA Wire)

“Instead, the Government is prioritising the interests of Apple and international finance.

“So far the Government has paid more than €7million in legal and consultant fees to ensure the Irish people cannot benefit from the €14.3billion in tax owed by Apple.

“These are resources that could be used to tackle climate change, transform our public services and upgrade our industrial strategy which for too long has prioritised foreign multinationals.

“Instead, the Government will mimic the attitude of Boris Johnson towards the EU, all to satisfy the interests of Apple and deny Ireland a windfall in investment.”