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Finance Minister Michael Noonan said on Tuesday he "disagreed
profoundly" with the Commission's order that Apple should hand
over to Ireland unpaid taxes of up to 13 billion euros ruled to
be illegal state aid. He will seek approval for an appeal from
cabinet at 1030 GMT.
The minority government led by Noonan's Fine Gael is reliant on
the support of a number of independent lawmakers, a group of
whom, the Independent Alliance, said on Tuesday that they were
reviewing the decision and would need to further consult with
Noonan, tax officials and independent experts.
If the Independent Alliance refused to back an appeal and pulled
out of government, Fine Gael would no longer have sufficient
support in parliament to pass legislation and the government
could collapse.
"I'm sure, if people need time to understand this matter, that
we will create the time and space to do this properly," Public
Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe of Fine Gael told national
broadcaster RTE when asked if Prime Minister Enda Kenny would
allow the Alliance more time if they ask for it.
"We will be able to make a decision but it is appropriate that
we give this the time it needs. I am very confident that this
government will work its way through this issue and continue
with the mandate the Irish people have given us."
Fine Gael is also reliant on an agreement with its biggest
rival, Fianna Fail, to abstain on key votes to facilitate the
minority government. Fianna Fail said on Tuesday it would back
an appeal through the European Courts.
Both parties were criticized by left-wing Sinn Fein, the
country's third largest party. It said the government should
accept the Commission's ruling and impose the tax bill on the
iPhone maker, which says it will also appeal.
"It is important that Irish taxpayers are represented at today's
cabinet meeting. The Independent Alliance have an opportunity to
do that. They should oppose any appeal and insist that the
correct tax bill is paid by Apple," Sinn Fein's David Cullinane
said in a statement.
(Editing by Andrew Roche)
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