Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes, first of all it is not a case that is being pursued on tax grounds. It is being pursued on State aid grounds and that is why the Competition Commissioner is driving the process. Other cases were taken against companies in Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Belgium and in all cases adverse conclusions were drawn and an amount of arrears was described in the adjudication, and I think they are all under appeal.

The Apple case is different. It is not the same type of case as the other cases. We thought it would have been adjudicated on long before now. The rumour from Brussels before Brexit was that there would be an adjudication in Julyl; we were not formally notified of that but I believe the rumour is probably correct. I cannot say whether the cases will proceed or if Brexit has changed the timetable. Brexit has given a blow to economic confidence in Europe already and an adverse finding with large arrears against a major American company operating in Europe might not be a road that is travelled in July. There will be an adjudication in due course and when we find out what that is, if it is adverse, it will be accompanied by a suggestion of payment of arrears by the company or a recommendation. We will see what happens when the time comes.

I put the amount of money that was spent into the public domain in reply to a parliamentary question during the week so the figure Deputy Murphy quoted is correct. We are not assigning particular moneys because it is very hard to do so. One must operate internationally with the best legal advice when vital national interests are being threatened, so we will do that. What was the Deputy’s second question?