The money relates to consultancy, legal fees and associated costs which have mounted up since the EU began its Apple state aid investigation three years ago.
But Finance Minister Michael Noonan says he expects that legal costs will increase further, following Ireland’s decision to appeal the EU’ ruling that Apple owes Ireland €13bn in unpaid taxes.
Details provided to Labour’s Joan Burton show the level of legal costs so far accumulated since the Competition Directorate of the European Commission first launched its probe into Apple.
“Over the past three years approximately €1m has been spent in total. This includes all legal costs, consultancy fees and other associated costs. These have been paid by the Department of Finance, the Revenue Commissioners, the Attorney General’s Office and the Chief State Solicitor’s Office,” said Mr Noonan.
The commission earlier this month announced that it had issued a negative decision in the Apple state aid case. The Government disagrees with the Commission’s analysis and is now challenging the decision before the European Courts.
Mr Noonan, though, has said that an unknown amount of money will be provided for the legal challenge.
“This is a legal process that could take several more years to conclude. It is therefore not possible to provide a comprehensive estimate of expected further expenses at this time. As it is an important issue for the State, the case will continue to be appropriately resourced,” he told Ms Burton in the written parliamentary reply.
The Government say that the challenge is necessary to defend Ireland’s tax system and to provide certainty for businesses. There is also a belief at Government level that the ruling was an encroachment of EU state aid rules into member state taxation rules.
Some opposition TDs argue Ireland has acted as a “tax haven” for companies.