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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.

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    Mute Paddy Byrne
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    Jul 24th 2016, 6:47 PM

    Does this mean our insurance premiums will keep rising?

    46
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    Mute Fluffer TheCanary
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    Jul 24th 2016, 11:25 PM

    as long as insurers make big profits and pay fat executive salaries then yes

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    Mute Richard Cronin
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    Jul 24th 2016, 11:56 PM

    Who do you think is going to foot the bill for this payout to board hold.. I’m mean policy holders

    4
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    Mute Darach Malone
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    Jul 24th 2016, 6:51 PM

    That’s good news. Those with policies are lucky to get payments.

    43
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    Mute Tony Skillington
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    Jul 24th 2016, 6:50 PM

    It’s one less player in the market.. So probably yes.

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    Mute Paul Smith
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    Jul 24th 2016, 9:03 PM

    I didn’t get refund when setanta collapsed. Just paid out 670 then it collapsed following week and had to insure myself again. Nightmare it was

    22
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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    Jul 24th 2016, 7:04 PM

    I thought all the insurance companies were supposed to be gouging massive profits from people? This doesn’t suit the narrative……..

    21
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    Mute Fred
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    Jul 24th 2016, 7:14 PM

    This isn’t about suiting any “narrative”. It’s concrete fact that car insurance companies are “gouging massive profits from people” and to suggest otherwise is lying as it’s a very personal impact considering people know exactly how much they’re paying…

    18
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    Mute Mark O'Connor
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    Jul 24th 2016, 7:25 PM

    Apparently most insurers are running a loss on car insurance. They have to make it up with home insurance etc. The fact that people are suing when any kind of accident happens and the courts hand out ridiculously high settlements, is what is driving (excuse the pun) our premiums up.

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    Mute ULTRON
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    Jul 24th 2016, 10:34 PM

    Insurance companies should change their underwriting criteria. They should load judges policies with €65,000 per annum to cover loses from ridiculously high settlements for bogus claims

    5
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    Mute Fluffer TheCanary
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    Jul 24th 2016, 11:26 PM

    insurance companies are tidying up nicely, but they want you to think differently

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    Mute Donal Carey
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    Jul 24th 2016, 7:22 PM

    Nice to see somebody getting money we had Setanta Insurance for one month when it went bust and nothing back even though we done it through a broker

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    Mute jonathan masterson
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    Jul 24th 2016, 8:35 PM

    I was in the same boat Donal…Great to see the policy holders with Enterprise are getting a refund..

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    Mute Rowan Murphy
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    Jul 24th 2016, 8:52 PM

    I’ve 3 weeks left on my policy. I wonder what that’s worth.

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    Mute Chewey Bacca
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    Jul 24th 2016, 10:55 PM

    21/366th of your original premium

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    Mute Rowan Murphy
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    Jul 24th 2016, 11:39 PM

    Roughly €23. Huge inconvenience though.

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