I have submitted a formal request for a recall of the Seanad to discuss the EU Commission ruling on Apple’s Irish tax arrangements.
The ruling by the European Commission for Ireland to recoup taxes of €13 billion, plus interest, is of monumental import. What’s of even greater consequence is the view held by the government that we should appeal this decision.
There are over thirty days within which to decide whether this decision should be appealed. The immediate priority for TDs and Senators and for the general public is to get access to the full version of the Commission decision which has not yet been published. It is vital that every member of the Oireachtas has an opportunity to debate this unprecedented ruling of the European Commission to declare the State’s tax arrangements with Apple illegal.
With the cabinet not reaching any conclusion at yesterday’s meeting, it is clear that this is a matter that should be brought to the Houses of the Oireachtas for further debate and discussion.
All elected representatives should have the opportunity to express their views on this ruling. The Seanad would offer a platform, along with the Dáil to comprehensively address the issue.
Sinn Féin party whip Aengus Ó Snodaigh yesterday wrote to the Ceann Comhairle to ask that the Dáil be recalled next week for a debate. I have written to the Chair of the Seanad to ask that the Seanad also be recalled so that this hugely significant ruling can be given fair assessment.
Sinn Féin will also table a Dáil and Seanad motion to try to prevent this appeal because we strongly believe it is not in the best interests of Irish citizens now or in the future.
