Clare Government Senator Claims New Midwest Hospital Can Be Funded Without Apple Tax Revenue

Clare FM

A Clare Government senator insists a new Model 3 hospital in the Midwest region can be funded without dipping into the Apple tax windfall. Speculation around how the State will spend the €14 billion in Apple tax revenue is continuing unabated as the Taoiseach has told members of his party that the money's use will be revealed on Budget Day. It's now over a week since the European Commission ruled that Apple must come up with the €13 billion in tax it failed to pay to the Irish Government. The ruling was the culmination of a long-running legal battle in which Ireland took the side of Apple. In 2016, the lower General Court of the European Court of Justice found that the American multinational corporation had underpaid taxes due to Ireland amounting to €13.1 billion between 2003 and 2014 which was a decision both Apple and the Government took umbrage at. Following the latest ruling, it's been confirmed the total amount in the third party account containing tax money owed by Apple is now €14.1 billion. Speaking in the Dáil, Finance Minister Jack Chambers has defended the Government's approach to the legal battle, claiming the case was "complex" and that the goal was to protect Ireland's tax sovereignty. Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty has challenged this position, saying it's incredible the State fought so hard not to receive such a large amount of money given the service deficits in Ireland across multiple sectors. With calls coming from all sides for the windfall to be put towards improvements in health, housing, infrastructure and countless other areas, Taoiseach Simon Harris has told a Fine Gael party meeting that its use will be made known in Budget 2025 on October 1st. Sources close to the Taoiseach say he's suggested it will go towards infrastructure and investments which can "create a better future" but that the money will not fund day-to-day costs. Chief Executive of Ireland's Foreign Direct Investment Agency Michael Lohan says infrastructure in particular is essential to attract companies from abroad. Meelick Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe has this week called for a portion of the tax windfall to be set aside as funding for a new Model 3 hospital in the region. The Government has yet to commit to such a facility, with the findings of a HIQA review examining the need for a second emergency department in the region not expected to be released until May 2025. Tulla Fianna Fáil Senator Timmy Dooley insists the new emergency department should be in Clare but claims the State has enough in its coffers already to develop a funding stream.