Irish leader slams EU over Apple tax ruling

LONDON

The European Commission’s tax ruling on Apple is “profoundly wrong and damaging” to Ireland, the country’s prime minister Enda Kenny said Wednesday as parliament was recalled early to discuss the decision.

Apple was ordered last week to pay 13 billion euros ($14.6 billion) in back taxes after the Commission said its Irish arrangements constituted illegal state aid.

But Kenny used Wednesday’s special sitting to strongly reject claims his country had ever struck special tax deals with corporations.

“It is not how we do business,” he told lawmakers, according to the Irish Times.

“It is not true that Apple was provided with more favorable treatment than others. There was no preference shown. The law was applied fully and appropriately, and Apple paid its taxes due in Ireland.”

The Irish government has announced it will appeal the ruling, in a move supported by the opposition Fianna Fail and Labour parties.

But other Irish lawmakers have argued the iPhone and iPad maker should be made to pay the tax bill.

Gerry Adams, whose Sinn Fein party is the third-largest in the Irish parliament, said the government was acting “contrary to the welfare and interests of citizens by siding with corporate interests”.

Sinn Fein joined independent lawmakers in opposing Kenny’s plan to lodge an appeal against the European Commission.

Apple CEO Tim Cook last week described ruling as “maddening” and rejected accusations his company had a “sweetheart” tax deal with Ireland.