Councillors clash over Apple appeal
THE casting vote of the Cathaoirleach Councillor Hubert Keaney had to be used to narrowly defeat a motion calling on the Government to drop their appeal against the European Commission’s ruling on Apple and invest it in housing, health and education.
The motion was tabled jointly by Councillors Declan Bree and Gino O’Boyle.
“The decision of the Government to appeal against the ruling of the European Commission that Apple should pay ¤ 13 billion in unpaid taxes to the Irish state is shocking and shameful. It is a stark reminder that the Government sees itself as a servant of the multinationals and big business,” said Cllr Bree.
“At the same time, Fine Gael is seeking to increase the Property Tax on people’s homes in Sligo and elsewhere. I believe this ¤ 13 billion windfall should be used for investment to meet the real needs of ordinary people,” he added.
Cllr Gino O’Boyle said: “It’s been cutback after cutback imposed on people, such as maternity benefit tax.”
Cllr Sean MacManus agreed that the money could be used to invest in jobs, infrastructure and services in the West of Ireland.
“Nobody buys the spin from Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil that this is about Irish tax sovereignty. This Government failed to stand up for Irish citizens when the EU saddled us with billions of euros of banking debt,” he said.
Cllr Seamus Kilgannon said it was a lot of money but added that “neither Cllr Bree nor Cllr MacManus can say with any certainty that the money would ever come to the Irish taxpayer.”
Cllr MacManus described the Fianna Fáil position as hypocritical which prompted Cathaoirleach Cllr Hubert Keaney to urge him to withdraw his comment.
“No, I’m entitled to my opinion. It’s hypocritical to refuse the money when the country is up to its eyes in debt,” he said.
Cllr Keith Henry said he was glad Sinn Féin was supportive of the EU. “There’s a point of principal here on tax matters - are we going to allow the EU to dictate our tax affairs?” asked Cllr Henry.
“You had no problem with the EU dictating to you when Brian Lenihan had to take the bail out,” retorted Cllr MacManus.
The motion was put to the floor and when six voted for and six against, Cllr Keaney used his vote to defeat the motion.