Irish Government to appeal Apple ruling

The Cabinet has agreed to appeal the EU Commission ruling that Ireland had supplied illegal state aid worth €13bn to Apple.

The decision was taken after a half-hour Cabinet meeting that headed off the danger of a rift with independent ministers.

Independent Alliance Minister John Halligan earlier said it was his personal view that Apple should pay the €13bn.

The junior minister at the Department of Jobs will go to his local organisation in Waterford at the weekend to consult them on the Apple issue.

He said he does not want to bring down the Government and wants to remain in Government.

Mr Halligan said his main priority is the delivery of increased cardiac services at University Hospital Waterford.

SNIP

Fine Gael ministers, however, argued that an appeal had to be lodged to challenge a ruling that had deep implications for inward investment.