No reason to turn up our noses at Apple money, says Pearse Doherty

There was no economic reason to "turn up our noses'' at the money owed to us in tax and interest, Sinn Féin finance spokesman Pearse Doherty told the Dáil.

He said the ratings agency Fitch had said Ireland's low corporate tax rate, and its high human development and governance indicators, should keep the business environment attractive to multinationals. "It also said that the windfall would reduce our debt,'' Mr Doherty added. "It is right, of course.''

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said his party would oppose the Government motion because it believed the alternative approach would be better for both Irish business and society in the long run. "The Government is like a madman, late at night, taking off the jacket, rolling up the sleeves and looking for a fight.''

Independent TD Catherine Connolly said she found it nauseating to be in an empty Dáil chamber, having been called back to debate the issue.

"While Revenue did everything in accordance with the law, surely it or the Government had a duty to alert the Dáil to the fact that Apple was not paying any tax on vast sums of money.''

Complex issues

Independent TD

Stephen Donnelly

said the House was being asked to discuss very complex issues involving large amounts of money, as well as international relations, without the information required. On that basis, he would abstain in the vote, he said.

Social Democrats TD Róisín Shortall said the Government had failed to produce convincing evidence there was a clear legal basis on which to make an appeal.

Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Bríd Smith said that with €13 billion, “and not minding the interest”, 89,000 houses could be built.