A briefing for the boss of the IDA said the €13 billion Apple tax judgment against Ireland was “not reputationally damaging, although unfortunate.”
Speaking points prepared for CEO Michael Lohan said feedback from international clients suggested it had not changed the perception of Ireland for investors.
Mr Lohan “if pushed” on what the Exchequer should do with the tax windfall was advised to recommend “continued investment in infrastructure” to help attract foreign direct investment (FDI).
The briefing said there had been constraints in “supply and planning” and this might be an area the government could look to as it spent the funds.
The speaking points were prepared for Mr Lohan in September after the European Court of Justice ruled Ireland had given Apple illegal tax advantages.
Mr Lohan was told the judgment should be put in context as an “historical case” and one that needed to be looked at through a “different prism.”
It said it related to just a single company and that tax was only one of the many reasons foreign firms came to do business in Ireland.
The speaking notes then suggested the IDA CEO should “pivot to all the reasons why companies invest.”
It said Ireland did not give preferential tax treatment to any company and that this was “the government position and that of IDA Ireland.”