Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Fine Gael enjoyed a 2 point increase in the latest Business Post / Red C poll. Alamy Stock Photo

Spending of Apple billions a matter for future government, Donohoe and Taoiseach agree

Both the Taoiseach and Minister Donohoe said that the current government could lay out a “direction” in which the money could be used appropriately.

LAST UPDATE | 15 Sep 2024

MINISTER FOR PUBLIC Expenditure Paschal Donohoe said today that he believes the matter of the spending of the Apple tax billions is a matter for the future government over a number of years, as his party leader Taoiseach Simon Harris said he “very much welcomes” Donohoe’s comments.

The government has already ruled out that the sudden windfall of over €14 billion in the case of the Apple tax will impact the upcoming budget

“I think it’s very likely that the actual decision regarding the money being spent will happen over a number of years and will happen under the lifetime of the next government,” Minister Donohoe said, speaking on RTÉ’s This Week this afternoon. 

“But I do think it’s very reasonable for the government, though, to lay out a clear direction regarding broadly what the money could be used for, and I think it’s very appropriate that we do that, and we’ll work on that in the next few weeks.”

Speaking to reporters this evening, the Taoiseach said that he thinks Donohoe’s comments are “exactly right”. 

“We know that we now have the final word on the Apple case,” he said.

Stating that it would be likely another six months before the sum would be received by the exchequer, Harris said that the funding could not be spent “on day to day”.

“But in my view,” he continued, “there’s really important conversations that can be had around how you invest in infrastructure, how you’d invest it in things that are perhaps off balance sheet, how you could look at things like improving our electricity and energy supply, our housing supply being the biggest societal challenges we face.”

Earlier today, Donohoe also insisted that he believes the election will not take place until next year, despite the latest Business Post / Red C Poll showing Fine Gael widening the gap between themselves and coalition partner Fianna Fáil and opposition party Sinn Féin

The results, published yesterday, show Fine Gael standing on 23% under the leadership of Taoiseach Simon Harris – a 2 point increase since June. Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin are now tied with an 18% popularity rating, as Mary Lou McDonald’s party continue to take a hit in the polls.

Taoiseach Simon Harris has furiously denied an early election since his party enjoyed unexpected success in the local and European elections in June.

Minister Donohoe insisted that he believes the election will be held next year, despite widespread speculation that an election will be called for mid-November amidst his party’s lift in the polls. 

“I believe the election will happen next year, as the Taoiseach has already said,” Donohoe told host Justin McCarthy. 

“I know when an election is called, it is the first point at which many of our voters correctly engage with the decision on what the next government will be, and their opinions are well capable of changing,” he said, adding that his focus was on the budget, which is to be announced on 1 October. 

Donohoe said that he is “not too influenced by a single poll”.

“My focus is doing this budget now with Minister Chambers and ensuring this government completes its mandate,” he said. 

He also addressed criticism that various measures that have been announced will be included in Budget 2025 have been added to sway the election, saying that all measures considered by himself and Minister for Finance Jack Chambers for inclusion in a “sensible budget”, “will help with the cost of living, allow more homes to be built, [and] invest in our public services.”

Separately in the Business Post / Red C Poll, the Social Democrats received a 2 point boost to sit at 6% and Labour experienced a 1 point boost to 4%.

The Green Party, which has recently come under the leadership of Minister for Integration Roderick O’Gorman, experienced a point loss along with Fianna Fáil. 

Support for Independent candidates remained unchanged at 15 points.

Independent Ireland, which has a sitting MEP in Ciaran Mullooly, dropped one point to 4%, and Aontú received a point increase, moving to 4%.

People Before Profit remained unchanged at 3%.

With reporting by Christina Finn.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

View 109 comments
Close
109 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mel Fitzpatrick
    Favourite Mel Fitzpatrick
    Report
    Aug 30th 2023, 8:21 PM

    The trough just keeps getting bigger.

    160
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Terry
    Favourite John Terry
    Report
    Aug 30th 2023, 8:42 PM

    @Mel Fitzpatrick: not nearly as big as the social welfare entitlement trough.

    75
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mel Fitzpatrick
    Favourite Mel Fitzpatrick
    Report
    Aug 30th 2023, 9:46 PM

    @John Terry: Lol, silly comment

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute TheGood Feign
    Favourite TheGood Feign
    Report
    Aug 30th 2023, 9:15 PM

    With less population per TD now, are they up for a paycut? Seems only fair.

    87
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paddy C
    Favourite Paddy C
    Report
    Aug 30th 2023, 8:27 PM

    They’re the least of our concerns at the moment going week to week watching those gombeans talk nonsense in the dail year in year out they’ve certainly done a fantastic job with the housing crisis over the last 10 years the future looks great if you can live in a house the size of a kennel

    113
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute BRENDAN O'CONNELL
    Favourite BRENDAN O'CONNELL
    Report
    Aug 30th 2023, 9:09 PM

    Now we have to listen to more waffle, pay more to hear it , this country is going down the swamp, since these crowd have taken over , we need a new party for the Irish taxpayers, not the European Puppet masters.

    87
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Conforms
    Favourite John Conforms
    Report
    Aug 30th 2023, 11:38 PM

    Netherlands 15 million has 150

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Modern Irish Dad
    Favourite Modern Irish Dad
    Report
    Aug 30th 2023, 8:10 PM

    Wixford lol

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colette Kearns
    Favourite Colette Kearns
    Report
    Aug 30th 2023, 8:14 PM

    @Modern Irish Dad: Where’s that?? Lol

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Karl Phillips
    Favourite Karl Phillips
    Report
    Aug 31st 2023, 6:11 AM

    Gombeens, party comes first, then the pinsion, then the unvouched expenses, then the subsistence for turning up to do your job, What a great little country.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nestor
    Favourite Nestor
    Report
    Aug 30th 2023, 9:13 PM

    Lucky for Josepha Madigan but less lucky for others.

    Swings and roundabouts!

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute P.J. Nolan
    Favourite P.J. Nolan
    Report
    Aug 30th 2023, 10:21 PM

    @Nestor:
    Definitely.
    Senator Malcom Byrne FF will be counting his lucky stars, he’s based in gorey which will probably be the biggest town in the new constituency. I’d say one SF, one FF and anyones guess for the last.
    Which Wexford TD will lose out?
    If I was Paul Kehoe I would be worried as would the Green TD in Wicklow

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute
    Favourite
    Report
    Aug 31st 2023, 12:45 AM

    @P.J. Nolan: I’m in Gorey and I’d absolutely vote for the Green TD in Wicklow over Snr Malcolm Byrne.

    3
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute P.J. Nolan
    Favourite P.J. Nolan
    Report
    Aug 31st 2023, 7:31 AM

    Unlikely you will get the chance, Steven Matthews is based in Bray.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute George Conroy
    Favourite George Conroy
    Report
    Aug 30th 2023, 10:27 PM

    It’s about time we had more TD’s to make us feel safe in our homes…

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Terry Mckenna
    Favourite Terry Mckenna
    Report
    Aug 30th 2023, 10:38 PM

    Is wixford a new constituity.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paddy C
    Favourite Paddy C
    Report
    Aug 31st 2023, 12:45 AM

    @Terry Mckenna: don’t give them ideas they might actually try it wouldn’t surprise us

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fishfingers Fortea
    Favourite Fishfingers Fortea
    Report
    Aug 31st 2023, 1:23 AM

    @Terry Mckenna: ya, not to be confused with Wexlow

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Giolleasboig
    Favourite Giolleasboig
    Report
    Aug 30th 2023, 10:47 PM

    I read all these comments and I think, if you think you can do better then get elected. But ye won’t because you prefer to belly ache. Get over yourselves, it’s Democracy

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Proinnsias O'Dubhlaoich
    Favourite Proinnsias O'Dubhlaoich
    Report
    Aug 31st 2023, 1:36 PM

    Amazing how they adhere to the constitution when it suits them.
    Anyone who votes for any one of this crowd in government who have lied consistently to their own people with regard to illegal migrants, fake Ukrainian refugees, their anti farmer stance, the price gouging by the banks and ultility companies, their attack on our freedoms during the Covid scam, the climate emergency BS etc etc etc should hang their head in shame. They are working for the WEF/EU/UN not the Irish people. They were able to get beautiful modular homes ready in jig time for military aged men from around the globe while Irish families struggle to put a roof over their heads. Please stop voting for these EU shills. The only reason we don’t have more youth homelessness is many of our graduates have left the country thinking they’ll be fine when they come back with their UAE tax free money, come back to what. Ireland in another decade of the current demographic change being implemented by our so called government won’t exist. Elections have serious consequences.

    6
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds