Ireland’s Finance Minister Michael Noonan has revealed that he now expects the European Commission’s verdict on Apple’s tax arrangements in Ireland to come next year.

The Irish Government said it does not expect a decision on Apple’s tax affairs before Christmas.

This follows a request from the Commission for further information from the Irish Government.

At the core of the European Commission investigation into Apple’s tax affairs is whether Apple’s tax arrangements with the Irish Government went against international guidelines.

No special deal, says Apple

Ireland has vehemently denied there was any preferential treatment.

For its part Apple too has strenuously denied it has any special arrangements ,with CEO Tim Cook stating in 2013: “We have no special deal with the Irish Government.”

If the European Commission finds against Apple, the technology giant may have to pay billions of euros worth of tax back to the Irish Exchequer.

It is understood that the EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager has requested more information from the Irish Government.

Minister Noonan said that it will take at least a fortnight to pull together the relevant information and that will bring proceedings so close to Christmas that it is unlikely a ruling will be made until possibly 2016.

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