“Apple chief executive Tim Cook has declined an invitation to appear at the Oireachtas finance committee to discuss the EU’s ruling that the company owes Ireland more than €13 billion in back taxes,” Pat Leahy reports for The Irish Times. “The finance committee, which is chaired by Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness, invited Mr Cook to appear at the committee at the beginning of February.”
“Apple chief executive Tim Cook has declined an invitation to appear at the Oireachtas finance committee to discuss the EU’s ruling that the company owes Ireland more than €13 billion in back taxes,” Leahy reports. “The finance committee, which is chaired by Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness, invited Mr Cook to appear at the committee at the beginning of February.”
Leahy reports, “In a reply received by the committee this week, Apple executive Claire Thwaites has written on Mr Cook’s behalf to say that he had been advised not to appear.
‘Given the sensitive nature of the investigation and the timing, we have been advised not to undertake any other direct activities, which could potentially prejudice future outcomes. It is on this basis that we are unable to appear before the Committee on this occasion,’ Ms Thwaites wrote from Apple’s London office.'”
Leahy reports, “The Sinn Féin finance spokesman Pearse Doherty expressed disappointment and anger at the decision by Apple.”
Disappointed and angry at Apple decision to refuse to attend Finance Committee. Legal excuse doesn't add up-others involved attending !
— Pearse Doherty (@PearseDoherty) January 5, 2017
Will push Committee to ask Apple to reconsider. Tim Cook attended Senate hearings & claimed a deal was in place. Dail deserves same respect
— Pearse Doherty (@PearseDoherty) January 5, 2017
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Mr. Cook respectfully declines to perform in your little political circus.
SEE ALSO:
Ireland accuses EU of exceeding power in Apple tax grab – December 19, 2016
Apple formally appeals EU tax grab this week, says company was a ‘convenient target’ – December 19, 2016
The ‘Brexit-Apple’ connection: What in the world was Margrethe Vestager thinking? – September 12, 2016
EU ministers line up to take tax bites out of Apple – September 12, 2016
Former EU competition commissioner: Vestager claim that Apple owes back taxes an incorrect use of EU law – September 2, 2016
Irish government to fight EU on Apple tax – September 2, 2016
Treasury accuses EU of trying to steal U.S. tax revenues with Apple decision – September 1, 2016
Irish residents opposed to EU’s tax demand of Apple – September 1, 2016
Apple Inc. pushes back against EU tax grab – September 1, 2016
Apple may repatriate billions of dollars next year after new U.S. President takes office – September 1, 2016
U.S. tax code allows for dramatic retaliation against EU overreach in Apple case – September 1, 2016
Apple CEO Tim Cook on EU tax demand: ‘No one did anything wrong here and Ireland is being picked on… It is total political crap’ – September 1, 2016
U.S. Treasury: The European Commission’s retroactive tax demands on Apple are unfair – August 30, 2016
EU demands Apple pay massive $14.5 billion in taxes plus interest – August 30, 2016
U.S. government warns EU: Do not hit Apple with a massive back tax bill – or else – August 25, 2016
The EU reminds me of George C. Scott’s role in “The Hustler.”
Bert Gordon: [to Eddie] You owe me MONEY.
Fast Eddie: What if I don’t pay ya, Bert?
Bert Gordon: [laughs] You don’t pay me? You’re gonna get your thumbs broken again. And your fingers. If I want ’em to, they’re gonna break your right arm in three or four places.
Minnesota Fats: You better pay him, Eddie.
Fast Eddie: So you figure you’re still my manager, huh?
Bert Gordon: I’m a business-man, kid.
WTF ????
Cook does prefer watching from the sideline. Actions speak louder than words. What does Cook have to hide?
Never testify in your own defense. Nothing good can come from it.
Ireland will cave in eventually…Tim doesn’t need to attend.
Ireland is not the problem. The EU is.
correct.
The EU, in this instance, is not the problem. The EU has many issues, this isn’t one of them.
Cook is doing the right thing as well. Absolutely. Ireland did not have the authority to give him the deal they gave him. As far as I’m concerned affected companies should sue the Irish Republic for misrepresentation. This isn’t about taxing profits on Irish sales, rather on EU sales. Last I checked, Ireland can’t cut a deal for all EU nations.
Now, who’s responsible for the funneling of EU profits through Ireland? I’ll let the courts decide that one.
you do that.
First time I read that Tim Cook did not react as if he were Chatty Cathy. Finally reacting correctly like Steve Jobs.
Smart !