DUBLIN: State-aid investigators from the European Commission are seeking new information from Dublin on the tax affairs in Ireland of Apple, one of the world’s largest companies.
The development has delayed the commission’s long inquiry into the Apple case for a second time in six months.
Although the Government had expected the commission to release findings in the next fortnight, the request from Brussels for more data has prompted speculation in Irish circles that it will be well into the new year before any findings are made.
“Initially we had expected a decision before Christmas. Since then, the commission has asked for further information, which we are providing to them,” said a spokesman for the Department of Finance.
“It now seems more likely that the final decision will not be reached until some time in the new year.”
The Government is bracing for adverse findings from the investigation, which is examining if Apple received “selective” advantage in tax opinions from the Revenue in 1991 and 2007.
