Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

You have referred to the decision in August 2016 and the transfer to an escrow fund. You have also referred to the need for agents and a manager for the fund. You are saying a decision was made in August 2016 telling Ireland to collect that money. We did not do that in 2016. You are now saying it will not happen in 2017. You are saying Apple proposes this will happen in 2018. I listened to what you said a minute ago and I have listened to what the Minister has said in the Dáil in recent weeks on the matter to the effect that this process is to be concluded shortly or very soon or by mid-November. You are now saying that it will not be concluded this year and you are confirming that Apple is saying it will not be handing over the money this year and that it will be 2018. That is what Apple has said in its financial statements. Can you understand that people are concerned about how long the Department is taking to do it?