Sinn Féin MEP for Ireland South, Kathleen Funchion has called for a portion of the money awarded to the State in the Apple Ruling to be used to help working class communities across Ireland South.

MEP Funchion was speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg during a debate on the historic ruling on the Apple state aid case.

MEP Funchion said:

“I warmly welcome the ECJ ruling that Apple must pay Ireland 13 billion plus interest in unpaid taxes.

“The present Irish government wasted 10 million euro of Irish taxpayers’ money, fighting a case and siding with one of the wealthiest corporations ever to exist.

“Money that would have been far better utilised in housing or health care or our crumbling disability sector, was wasted defending the indefensible.

“We in Sinn Féin believe that it is vital that the outstanding taxes due are paid immediately and a portion be used for an Equality for Communities Fund, so finally ordinary people and communities throughout Ireland South who have been left behind for far too long can see some benefit.”