Apple CEO Tim Cook Heads to Ireland to Visit Government Officials, Company Facilities

But we all know why here's there

Guiness?

Nothing wrong with what they are doing. All companies do it. Find me one person that does not try to limit their tax burden as much as possible.

Any complainer can surely pay more taxes themselves if they would like. The IRS won't mind. :D

Ireland's government takings are massively inflated by channelling revenues through a country that's in reality a bit of a backwater for Apple. All of the other EU countries are losing out.

Despite being one of Apple's major markets the UK gets practically zilch. :(

2011 UK earnings £6 billion, tax paid £10 million
2012 avoided tax altogether by giving staff share bonuses

I like Apple so not moaning as much as I would about other companies... Google, Starbucks...

.

Nothing wrong with what they are doing. All companies do it. Find me one person that does not try to limit their tax burden as much as possible.

Any complainer can surely pay more taxes themselves if they would like. The IRS won't mind. :D

"The specific reason for Cook's visit is unknown"

But we all know why he's there

Probably right. The Double Irish arrangement (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_Irish_arrangement) makes interesting reading.


.

Yep...... The government will keep Apple sweet to protect the 4,000 jobs. We can not afford 4,000 more people on Social Welfare (let alone all those additional jobs that come from servicing those 4,000 workers) - where at the moment those folks are all working and paying the many new austerity taxes that are finally getting the country out of the hole it dug with the bank and property crisis.

It's insane there is no Apple store in Dublin.

"Apple has maintained a significant presence in the country for several decades."

Erm. Apple was only founded in 1976. That's stretching "several" a little far!

This man sure does get around!

Anyone leading a $150 billion company better not be sitting on his butt in an office.

----------

"Apple has maintained a significant presence in the country for several decades."

Erm. Apple was only founded in 1976. That's stretching "several" a little far!

"Several" can be anything more than one.

paying the many new austerity taxes that are finally getting the country out of the hole it dug with the bank and property crisis.

What??? Finally getting us out of the hole? If anything its getting worse. Are you even reading what is going on?

The Irish are always optimistic - nothing new there. I’m just giving an educated view of my observations of Irish and European affairs. As a Graphic/Packaging Designer I was lucky enough to be insulated from it (only because 90% of my work is from repeat clients outside Ireland). My argument is with the claim "finally getting the country out of the hole". It’s so unrealistic.

As for reading what's going on, have you read that jobless figures are at 12.4% from its peak in jan 12 from 15.1%

Do you really believe these figures - with mass emigration, jobs bridge, all the self employed who cannot get the dole and the people forced into ridiculous 'schemes'? Kenny and Co are hell-bent on making it hard for the youth to stay in Ireland. A real success indeed.

Likewise house prices in the capital at least have begun to increase by 2.4%

Whilst nationally house prices still declined by 0.9% in the final three months of 2013 - this was the slowest in over six years. With price stabilisation particularly in Cork, where the median price was unchanged.

More hype. The 'gate-keepers' spinning again. The banks are hard at work trying to create another small property bubble to claw back some of the massive losses they incurred. Banks are giving foreign investors with portfolios of €2,000,000 or more - mortgages with them only having to put 50% of the price down - and start paying the other 50% five years later interest free. It's plain as day to see. There are few ordinary people getting mortgages now. But they will when the demand increases. If the Irish fall for this again - I give up!

Likewise with recent announcement that the central bank predicts a 2.1% growth in the economy in 2014 of GDP and GNP of around 2.2% are also glimmers of hope that we simply have not had in the last number of years...

Seriously - How many times have we heard this - only for it to be revised down? Eurozone inflation is way below target. How are these figures supposed to be met? We won't grow until the big boys in Europe do. It's all hype coming up to the European elections.

I'm glad you are getting on ok (seriously) - but please don't say that 'we' are finally getting out of the hole - because the fact is 'we' are not. Austerity is still being imposed on us. The most vulnerable in society, such as the elderly and disabled are being trampled on by Kenny and Co. People are still suffering and will continue to, until at least 2020. Jobs are being lost everyday (they are also being created - but very little) along with mass emigration. There are media black-outs on protests against austerity. The suicide rate has increased with upwards of 700 people (in such a small country) taking their lives every year since 2008. This is directly related to the continuing austerity program.

There is no point in sugar-coating the true problems that face the overwhelming majority of decent Irish people everyday - for the benefit of the people (from around the world) who use this forum.

Best of luck...