The Sunday Independent's View: Ministers cannot afford to squander Apple billions
With great riches comes great responsibility, however, and the Cabinet's failure to agree the figures on Friday was a telling insight into the strength of the competing demands made by ministers to ensure their departments do not miss out on the billions — not least from the Apple windfall. Time is tight, with the Government expected to approve the plan on Tuesday.
The Taoiseach and Tánaiste accordingly met again this weekend to thrash out the final details, but negotiations are clearly continuing until the last moment. Housing, health and transport are among the areas where agreement has yet to be reached.
From the outside, it appears a no-brainer. Housing remains far and away the biggest concern in every opinion poll.
Our EU partners are looking to Ireland to shoulder a fair share of collective security
Even if there were no political self-interest for the Government to answer that call, some basic empathy for people struggling to meet the cost of rents and mortgages — or even get a toe on the property ladder in the first place — would demand they allocate as much as possible of the money to alleviating that crisis.
Health is, likewise, an area where increased investment remains an irrefutable necessity.
The one area that stands out this time around is defence. When TDs with euro signs in their eyes were salivating over how to spend the unexpected Apple windfall before November's general election, defence did not really get a look-in.
Things are different now. With no end in sight to the war in Ukraine, our EU partners are increasingly looking to Ireland to shoulder a fair share of the burden of collective security.
That may prove a hard sell to the public, who did not expect those extra billions to go on jets and an expanded Naval Service, but the days when Ireland could rely on others to protect our seas and shores are surely coming to an end.
There are always other unwelcome expenses too. The European Court of Justice is expected to rule soon that asylum-seekers are entitled to sue the State if they are denied accommodation on arrival in the country. Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan said this would be 'very hard to justify' to Irish citizens whose own homeless people have no such legal right, but it is probably not a battle Ireland can win.
As every household knows, finding the money for such unforeseen expenses can stretch the family budget to breaking point.
Regrettably, the old proverb also holds true: eaten bread is soon forgotten. Excited politicians were minded to view money from Apple as the answer to all their dearest wishes. Once spent, the demands on the public purse will start again. With Donald Trump's tariffs still set to bite, it could be that the revenue available for any future development plans will be significantly down.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
2 hours ago
- The Journal
Q&A: What we know (and don't know) about the EU-US tariff deal
THE EU-US tariff deal, struck yesterday , will avoid a painful trade war between the transatlantic allies. The stakes were high, with a looming 1 August deadline set by Washington and a €1.65tr trading relationship on the line. Despite that, the agreement has not satisfied everyone. Many European leaders issued lukewarm statements throughout the day today, while Taoiseach Micheál Martin welcomed the agreement as an end to uncertainty for businesses. A full deal is yet to be fleshed out . An agreed 'framework' has laid out the broad principles of a deal, but negotiators will still need to hammer out the details in coming days, with a joint statement expected by the original 1 August deadline. The final agreement will need to be approved by all European leaders. US President Donald Trump will expectedly carry out the changes through executive orders, which bypasses a vote by the American parliament. So what was agreed? Both sides confirmed there will be a blanket 15% tariff rate on a majority of Irish goods exported to the US, the same level secured by Japan this month. While this means the European car sector actually sees a reduction in tariffs – from 27.% to 15% – the agreed rate is three-times higher than the tariffs before. Many European ministers pointed to this as their prime gripe with the deal . The European Commission described the deal as a step towards stabilising EU-US trade, with EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič telling journalists that it was 'the best deal we could get under very difficult circumstances'. An opportunity presented itself to the EU during the deal, however. Many European governments are seeking to distance themselves from a long-term reliance on Russian energy . The EU has agreed to purchase €647m worth of liquefied natural gas, oil and nuclear fuels from the US over three years. It also said it would pour €517bn in additional investments in America, through the private sector. Advertisement Negotiating teams agreed to deals around energy products and fuel. Alamy Alamy As is the case with many of these agreements, the EU has also agreed to purchase 'significant amounts of US military equipment', according to the White House . This is a significant policy change from the European Commission, which as been promoting cross-member state trade of arms in recent months . One EU official was quick to pour cold water on this assessment, claiming it was not 'agreed or discussed'. That may suggest that the US expects EU member states to turn towards the American arms market for procurement in the near future. Blanket tariffs, you say. Are any goods tariff-free? So, we're still finding this out. The exact list of goods which will be exempt from tariffs will soon be finalised, Brussels said today. One EU official said the member states would also consider lowering levies on US cars, which are traditionally unpopular in Europe, to 0%. Machinery products and different types of fertilisers may also see zero-tariff rates, as an alternative to Russian sources. In exchange, the official said, Washington was expected to reduce tariffs on European aircraft, certain medical devices and some pharmaceuticals – for which the US largely depends on Irish imports. Discussions are ongoing about European alcohol exports becoming tariff-free – including wine and Irish whiskey. Discussions are ongoing about European alcohol exports becoming tariff-free - including wine and Irish whiskey. Alamy, file Alamy, file Irish Farmers Association President Francie Gorman said today that the agriculture industry were the 'fall guys' for EU trade policy. He questioned why the European negotiators could not achieve a lower rate of baseline tariffs, as the UK did previously. Workers' Union Siptu has demanded clarity for its members and is seeking immediate action from Ireland to protect jobs in specific sectors, such as pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and the drinks' industry, which may be impacted by tariffs. Related Reads 'Resorted to submission': Last-minute US tariff deal earns stinging criticism from EU leaders Are pharmaceuticals part of the EU-US tariff deal? And what's Section 232 got to do with it? 'A good deal for everybody': US and EU reach 15% tariff deal after Trump-von der Leyen meeting What about pharma? Any sector-specific tariffs? The White House is currently targeting pharmaceuticals and semiconductors – microchips which power mobile devices and digital machines. The US could potentially impose massive levies to attract American companies home. Ireland, home to thousands of multinational pharmaceutical manufacturers, hoped that there would be particular exemptions for medicines – a key industry here. Protecting pharmaceuticals was a priority in the EU's negotiations. An internal review by the US trade department is still ongoing over the legality of placing a levy on medical imports. Under American trade law, essential items, such as medicine and aircraft components, cannot be unfairly taxed. The US is reviewing the legality of placing a levy on medical imports. Alamy, file Alamy, file Tech firms with European bases in Dublin will not be directly impacted by tariffs on physical goods, but could be affected if the US changes tax laws to make it less attractive to set up in low-tax countries, said Andrew Kenningham from Capital Economics. Under the deal struck yesterday, the EU says the US has agreed that tariffs on pharmaceuticals and semiconductors will be capped at 15%. The White House said medicines and semiconductors would indeed be taxed at that rate. European steel, copper and aluminium are currently facing a 50% US tariff. The White House said those sectoral tariffs 'will remain unchanged' but that it would seek to ensure that the supply chains are not impacted. With reporting by AFP 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. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Main defendant charged with murder of private Seán Rooney sentenced to death
The main defendant at the military tribunal in Beirut indicted for the murder of Irish Defence Forces private Seán Rooney has been sentenced to death, it is understood. In a statement, Tánaiste and defence minister Simon Harris said that he noted the sentence handed down, along with those handed to a number of the other defendants who had previously not been in court. 'I am disappointed and share the disappointment of Pte Rooney's family at the lighter sentences imposed on a number of those convicted today,' he said. 'Seán Rooney made the ultimate sacrifice in the noble pursuit of peace. This is a difficult time for his family and his colleagues, especially those who were injured that night. All our thoughts are with them at this time.' Pte Rooney, who was 24 and from Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal, was killed while on UN duty when the armoured vehicle he was driving from south Lebanon to Beirut came under fire in December 2022. Several others were injured in the attack. Previously, the Irish Government expressed its concerns about the lack of progress in the case against those charged with his killing. Mr Harris said that raising these issues was a 'central focus' of his visit to Beirut last March. 'I appreciate, therefore, the efforts of the court to bring forward the hearing date forward from September to today,' he said. During my visit to Beirut, I left the Lebanese ministers in no doubt as to the absolute determination of the Irish Government to ensure that those responsible for Pte Rooney's death are brought to justice. 'I want to express my appreciation to my officials, members of the Defence Forces, Ireland's Ambassador to Lebanon, members of the Defence Forces, Ireland's Honorary Consul to Lebanon, and the Department's Lebanese lawyer, all of whom attended today's hearing along with a member of Seán's family. 'Finally, I appreciate that this is an incredibly difficult day for the family of Pte Rooney. None of us can fathom their unimaginable pain and grief and all my thoughts remain with them at this time.' While capital punishment is a legal sanction in Lebanon, reports suggest there has been a moratorium on executions since 2004. Read More Mother of slain Irish soldier Sean Rooney permitted to sue United Nations
The Journal
2 hours ago
- The Journal
Scrutiny of laws to facilitate Ireland's trade deal with Canada scrapped after US tariffs
LAWS TO FACILITATE a trade deal between Ireland, Canada and other EU member states will not be scrutinised following the announcement that a 15% tariff will be placed on Irish goods exported to the US . The contentious EU-Canada trade agreement, known as CETA, is to be ratified after politicians on the Oireachtas foreign affairs committee have waived their right to investigate the potential outcomes and consequences of the bill. Amendments to the Arbitration Act, which dictates the legality of, and set petametres around, civil lawsuits that can be taken in Ireland, were due to be examined in order to facilitate the creation of a free-trade zone between Europe and Canada. Ten member states previously rejected the deal and declined to ratify it , and the Irish Supreme Court previously said that CETA would be unconstitutional over clauses that could allow foreign investors to sue the state over any potential breaches. Trade minister and Tánaiste Simon Harris announced today that he intends to bring forward and accelerate the updates to the Arbitration Act, which will allow for CETA to be ratified without any constitutional breaches. Advertisement Government previously earmarked the expedited implementation of the deal in May , following crunch talks over Ireland's challenges with economic competitiveness and the threat of harsh US tariffs. The decision to scrap pre-legislative scrutiny, when politicians invite experts to discuss the potential consequences and outcomes of new laws, was welcomed by Harris. He said that the deal will 'open the door to one of the world's largest economies' and allow Irish firms, farmers and exports to have new opportunities. He claimed that Irish exports to Canada have increased 'fourfold' since its framework was agreed. 'This is about more trade, more jobs, and more stability for Ireland,' Harris added. Two members of the foreign affairs committee, Senators Patricia Stephenson and Alice Mary Higgins, have said they are alarmed by the decision. Stephenson said it was shameful that the government would ignore the Supreme Court decision. 'This is a disgraceful decision given the fraught legal background of this issue and the hugely controversial investor court system that ratification of CETA will usher in,' the Social Democrats senator said. Independent Senator Higgins, who has been a long-time critic of the trade deal, said the untested bill could have 'significant implications for our sovereignty', which could expose Ireland to millions 'or even billions' in potential claims. 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. Learn More Support The Journal
