Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 September 2016
38. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the status of the State's preparations for the submission of an appeal to the European Courts against the European Commission's ruling concerning a company (details supplied) ; his plans for the escrow account which will hold the funds pending the outcome of the appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27548/16]
View answerThe Government has authorised me to arrange for annulment proceedings to be brought before the General Court of the European Union in the Apple State case.
The Attorney General has been requested to prepare the legal grounds in support of those proceedings and to take all other steps incidental to the conduct of those proceedings.
Ireland has two months and 10 days to lodge its appeal.
Notwithstanding the right of appeal, Ireland is legally obliged to recover the alleged state aid from Apple in the interim. My officials are engaging with the Commission as part of this recovery process. As the amounts are subject to legal proceedings, the sums may be placed in a ring-fenced escrow account, pending the outcome of the European Court process.
