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Country prepares to decide the fate of tax funds received from giant Apple as it faces internal crises
Ireland is faced with an unusual situation: managing a amount of €13,8 billion (approximately R$86 billion) that you will receive from Apple, as determined by the Court of Justice of the European Union (EU). The amount corresponds to taxes that, according to the court, were wrongly not collected by Ireland, favoring the technology giant with tax incentives that violated EU state aid laws, according to the website InfoMoney.
Despite the conviction, The Irish government has always maintained that Apple did not owe taxes, claiming that the country does not grant preferential tax treatment to any company. However, following the court's final ruling, Ireland now faces the challenge of deciding how to use this substantial amount, which can generate strong political and social debates.
Funds in custody and next steps
The €13,8 billion was placed in an escrow account since the initial decision in 2016 and have generated interest over the years. In 2023, the amount has grown by around €400 million, increasing pressure on the Irish government to decide what to do with the money. This represents around 15% of Ireland's annual budget, which means a significant impact on public finances.
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According to Finance Minister Jack Chambers, the The process of transferring funds will be complex and could take months to complete. He noted that the government will discuss with party leaders what the next steps will be for allocating this resource. However, Chambers said that spending in the 2025 budget, which will be announced on October 1st, are already defined and that this amount will not influence budget decisions.
Debates and political pressures
With elections approaching, the arrival of this resource puts the Irish government in a delicate position. The opposition pushes for parliamentary debates on how the money should be used, highlighting the country’s social priorities. Ireland is facing a severe housing crisis, with property prices out of reach for the majority of the population and a record number of people homeless.
Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik, suggested in a social media post that the resources could be used for the creation of a long-term housing fund to address the housing shortage. The demand for urgent solutions in this area, combined with the amount of funding available, puts additional pressure on the government to provide a rapid and efficient response.
Experts believe that it will be difficult for the government to say “no” to popular demands, especially in the run-up to an election. Aidan Regan, professor of politics and international relations at University College Dublin, said the government would be under pressure to please voters, and any decision it makes could directly influence the outcome of the upcoming election.
Surplus and sovereign fund
Ireland is in a privileged position compared to other European countries, as it has a rare budget surplus. This is largely due to the strong presence of multinationals in the country, such as Apple, Meta and Alphabet, attracted by their low corporate tax policy. This economic model has generated a significant increase in corporate tax revenue, which has allowed the government to plan a sovereign fund that could reach €100 billion.
Despite this fiscal health, the €13,8 billion coming from Apple is still a significant amount, especially for a relatively small country like Ireland. The government will have to balance the use of the resource without creating distortions in the economy, while at the same time meeting the demands of the population and remaining competitive on the international stage.
