Michael Fitzmaurice TD has written to An Taoiseach Enda Kenny tonight to ask him to recall the Dail to discuss the Apple tax situation and the school transport crisis.
In a statement released a short time ago the Independent TD said “While I appreciate that the Cabinet is meeting tomorrow morning to discuss the Apple Tax issue, with the current format of the Dáil I feel it is only right that all members should be enabled to speak on the issue as this matter is of significant public importance and the government should hear the opinions of all members and parties before making a decision that will affect a generation of Irish people”.
Michael Fitzmaurice continued “With regard to school transport, it is my opinion that a crisis is developing which if it is not addressed could have devastating effect on families all around the country. I have been made aware of pupils being expected to wait on busy main roads for school busses, where they could easily be collected at their homes. I have also been made aware of parents of children with special needs finding out just yesterday that transport they were expecting to be available tomorrow will not be available. This is nothing short of a scandal and cannot wait until the end of next month to be addressed”.
Apple Tax Ruling
Speaking earlier today following the news that Apple has been ordered to repay €13bn in back taxes to the Irish Government Michael Fitzmaurice said “The decision of the Irish Government to appeal the decision of the EU to award the Irish state €13 billion in back taxes from Apple raises several important issues for a number of parties in the coming days and weeks and those issues will have to be clarified.”
“I am of the strong opinion that no one should be treated unfairly when it comes to taxation and that includes Apple and other major multi nationals. We have a corporation tax rate of 12% and that’s what should be paid by these companies who provide excellent employment around the country. If there are major companies paying just two and three percent tax then they should be pursued for what they owe. In this case I would think very carefully before turning down a sum of 13 billion which would sort out the housing crisis, the homeless problem, waiting lists in the health service, flooding problems and the deficit in our mental health services to name just a few areas that need immediate funding”.