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Michelle O'Neill and Arlene Foster in a meeting with the Irish and British governments last week. Liam McBurney

It won't stop Northern Ireland leaving, but Stormont has voted to reject Boris Johnson's Brexit deal

The voted was about whether to refuse legislative consent to the Brexit agreement.

STORMONT ASSEMBLY MEMBERS have rejected the UK government’s Brexit Withdrawal Deal.

The motion was passed without dissent following a near three-hour debate in Northern Ireland’s devolved parliament.

It was one of the first acts of substantive business since the assembly in Belfast was restored earlier this month. 

The vote was about whether to refuse legislative consent to the Brexit agreement.

While members have voted to withhold consent, their decision will not affect the UK government’s plan to leave the EU at the end of the month.

Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister failed in a bid to delay the Assembly debate on Brexit.

He had wanted proceedings to be put back for a week to give MLAs the chance to table amendments.

Despite the backing of the Ulster Unionists, Mr Allister’s motion was voted down.

First Minister Arlene Foster opened the debate, explaining that the motion had been brought today as the last time available before the Brexit Bill goes to the House of Lords tomorrow.

The DUP leader urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson to “deliver on his promise” of unfettered access to the Great Britain market and ensure that “competitiveness is maintained”.

She said the Brexit deal poses “significant challenges for Northern Ireland” and called for MLAs to “take a stand” to show that the Assembly is “back in business” and will not be overruled by the government.

Ulster Unionist MLA Mike Nesbitt said he “retained significant sympathy” for Allister’s position, contending that MLAs were being “forced to vote on a binary proposition which leaves us no actual choice”.

However, he said his party will support the motion.

Alliance Party MLA Kellie Armstrong said there is no such thing as a good or sensible Brexit, but, accepting that it will happen at the end of the month, she added that it is time to “stand up and protect Northern Ireland”.

Ahead of the debate, Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “I’m fairly confident the Assembly will reject giving consent to Brexit which we all, in the main and in the majority, voted against.

We are very conscious of the fact – and we have repeatedly stated this – that there is no good to come from Brexit – it brings nothing, only jeopardy to our economy and to jobs, to future prospects, and I think that will be reflected in the debate we will have in Assembly chamber today.

O’Neill noted that MSPs in Scotland had also rejected the government’s legislation and predicted that politicians in Wales would follow suit.

“It’s significant that this Assembly sends a very firm message again that we reject Brexit, that we follow after Scotland has rejected Brexit, and I believe Wales will vote tomorrow to maybe also reject Brexit,” she said.

O’Neill said Brexit had “irreversibly” changed the debate on a united Ireland.

The republican leader said the EU pledge which would see Northern Ireland regain EU membership in the event of unification was a key factor.

“That has changed the context of the conversation and I think there is a very positive conversation under way now which is irreversible, I think that’s where the whole political debate is,” she said.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said the government did not care about the people of Northern Ireland.

“It’s important that this Assembly asserts its authority on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland,” he said ahead of the debate.

“We have always said people here did not give consent for Brexit and it’s important that this Assembly withholds consent for Brexit.

We know this British  government will ignore us but when they are ignoring us they are ignoring the people of Northern Ireland, people of Scotland and the representatives of the people of Wales.

ulster-powersharing SDLP leader Colum Eastwood MP and Claire Hanna MP. PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

“That shows you what kind of government is sitting now in London. They do not care about people here, they don’t care about people in Scotland, and they are determined to go on with the madness that is this Brexit.

“Next week we will be dragged out of the European Union against our will, against the will of people here and people in Scotland. That’s why it’s important that we’re here, that’s why it’s important that we’re rejecting it.”

Eastwood said the UK was facing a cliff-edge at the end of the year, insisting it would be impossible to strike a trade deal with the EU before then.

“So we are faced with chaos at the beginning of 2021,” he said.

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    Mute tony murphy
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    Jul 14th 2020, 9:06 PM

    This money could bail Ireland out of the money spent on the Covid 19 crisis and set us up for recovery but our government would rather spend millions fighting it is beyond madness just like the children hospital and Irish Water. Millions wasted so annoying.

    139
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    Mute Rochelle
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    Jul 14th 2020, 9:15 PM

    @tony murphy: Loans on low interest are covering money spent on Covid 19, no bailout required.

    We all know being a tax haven is worth more to the government than taking the cash and letting the multinationals leave, unethical as it may be. Our entire economy would collapse overnight without the tech and pharmaceutical companies.

    153
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    Mute thomas patrick
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    Jul 14th 2020, 9:19 PM

    @tony murphy: its not as simple as a transfer of 13bn to a bank account.

    43
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    Mute Jane
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    Jul 14th 2020, 9:29 PM

    @tony murphy: we won’t get anywhere near €13bn. It will be shared out between lots of countries.

    36
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    Mute James Rowan
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    Jul 14th 2020, 9:29 PM

    @tony murphy: its not our money

    32
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    Mute Séadna O'Grádaigh
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    Jul 14th 2020, 9:36 PM

    @tony murphy: The money will go to many other countries and we will end up with a tiny %. There’s a reason why the EU want us to change our corporate taxes, we are cleaning up compared to European countries and that is a great thing for this country. Ireland need to fight that court case right to the end.

    54
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    Mute Fintan O'flaois
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    Jul 14th 2020, 10:06 PM

    @tony murphy: 1) the funds held by a US escrow agent, even if we withdraw our appeal to the European Count of justice, the funds will not be released from escrow until Apple also drop their appeal, 2) we generate >€10bn p.a. in FMN corporate, income, withholding and other taxes – the €13bn apple tax settlement is a flash in the pan compared with the multi annual revenue we accrue, we can’t prejudice this multi annual revenue for a one off payment.

    31
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    Mute James Gorman
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    Jul 14th 2020, 10:56 PM

    @tony murphy: you that stup!d Tony? If it were that simple. Educate yourself in the issue.

    18
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    Mute Teresa Ryan
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    Jul 15th 2020, 8:23 AM

    @tony murphy: I think you mean billions.

    1
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    Mute Teresa Ryan
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    Jul 15th 2020, 8:24 AM

    @Rochelle: Where are they going to go?

    1
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    Mute David cotter
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    Jul 14th 2020, 9:30 PM

    Wonder if any of the revenue officers who created this wonderful arrangement for Apple became shareholders

    43
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    Mute Teresa Ryan
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    Jul 15th 2020, 8:26 AM

    @David cotter: Surely the arrangement was created by the then government, not revenue? Does revenue have the power to create our tax policies instead of just implementing our tax laws.

    1
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    Mute Jack Inman
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    Jul 14th 2020, 9:38 PM

    People seem to have a hard time understanding basic economics.
    The reason not just Apple but, a bundle of corporate entities have large operations here is because of the favourable conditions including tax structures on offer.
    Without them, these companies up stocks and move.
    Having them goes against the concept of a level playing field (which as we are reminded daily through Brexit negotiations) is paramount to them….. hence why the EU are so keen to stamp it out. Rightly or wrongly.

    34
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    Mute Dave Hammond
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    Jul 14th 2020, 10:05 PM

    @Jack Inman: the reason the EU to ‘stamp it out’ is not as you claim , the reason the EU want a change is that with the emergence of digital economies major tech giants are increasingly selling and profiting in their jurisdictions and taking the monies out and paying so little tax ( 0.005 % in apple case) to them countries – so if you are France Germany etc you are not going to stand by and allow that to continue – this is the real issue – a fairer share on profits made in each country going back to country – and the amounts are so huge we cannot expect things to just stay the same – this will run and run for a good while yet – the assumption these co will up stocks and move is not so straightforward either – they need to be in EU to try sell and service into 500m market from somewhere

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    Mute Nuala Mc Namara
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    Jul 14th 2020, 10:14 PM

    @Jack Inman: The new OECD rules on digital taxes are due to come in this year which will affect Ireland especially!

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    Mute Fintan O'flaois
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    Jul 14th 2020, 10:17 PM

    @Dave Hammond: To be clear, sales taxes are paid in the jurisdiction where the sale takes place and this dispute is about corporate taxes, which are normally paid upon consolidation of accounts to the parent entity – these are US entities and when the funds are eventually repatriated, in Apple’s case from the Cayman Islands, and the IRS will want their share. The US will not allow the EU to slice a portion of tax that they ultimately consider to be theirs and if the EU tries to impose a digital tax the US will retaliate. In reality the US is Ireland’s biggest ally in preserving our corporate tax policy.

    5
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    Mute Ian Breathnach
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    Jul 14th 2020, 11:26 PM

    The tax structures are open to all companies. The OECD states our tax regime is one of the most open and transparent.

    https://www.irishfunds.ie/getting-started-in-ireland/taxation

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    Mute Jack Inman
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    Jul 14th 2020, 11:27 PM

    @Dave Hammond: what you have advocated there is exactly what my point was. A level playing field where no one EU member state benefits from a distinctly competitive tax regime at the expense of another. Which is exactly what the EU wants.
    It’s fair enough but, find it incredible given the inequality in state subsidy laws that favour Germany.

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    Mute Jack Inman
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    Jul 14th 2020, 11:28 PM

    @Fintan O’flaois: exactly. That €13 billion doesn’t go to Ireland despite people seeming to think it does

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    Mute Vladimir Macro
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    Jul 14th 2020, 9:11 PM

    “Although the matter could eventually have serious implications for Ireland’s corporate tax regime”.

    Why dont other countries do what we do if it’s legal. 12.5% and the generous R&D grants.

    Collect the money, stay competitive and stop the spin for christ sake.

    25
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    Mute King B
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    Jul 14th 2020, 9:33 PM

    @Vladimir Macro: They’re paying no where near the 12.5% rate, that’s the major problem. You , me and every other Joe soap out there pay more tax on 50quid than the coporates.

    46
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    Mute Darragh Bailey
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    Jul 14th 2020, 9:50 PM

    @Vladimir Macro: they do, I’m not sure there is any country in the EU where multinationals actually pay the quoted corporate tax rate

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    Mute thomas patrick
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    Jul 14th 2020, 10:07 PM

    @King B: you me and every joe soap dont employ 1000s of people… the benefit to our economy far outweighs the 13bn

    19
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    Mute Fintan O'flaois
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    Jul 14th 2020, 10:07 PM

    @Vladimir Macro: They do, there’s several other countries in the EU with lower headline and effective corporate taxes.

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    Mute Finian Gardner
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    Jul 14th 2020, 10:11 PM

    @Vladimir Macro: lots of countries have lower effective tax rates however they can be very volatile when governments change. Ireland has offered certainty for years and certainty is valued highly when these things are being decided.

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    Mute Vladimir Macro
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    Jul 15th 2020, 8:02 AM

    @Finian Gardner: if that’s the case just collect it. The cheap game is over for multinationals

    1
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    Mute Fifty Shades of Sé
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    Jul 15th 2020, 11:09 AM

    @Vladimir Macro: Other countries do and that’s the problem. It means a race to the bottom which will end in corporations paying no tax at all and having more wealth and power relative to democratically elected governments.

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    Mute Fifty Shades of Sé
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    Jul 15th 2020, 11:10 AM

    @thomas patrick: You think their 6000 employees in Cork have earned more that €13,000,000,000?

    1
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    Mute David cotter
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    Jul 14th 2020, 9:52 PM

    Well jack it’s just plain wrong that the wealthiest company’s ever pay bugger all tax…that’s basic disgusting…

    21
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    Mute Fintan O'flaois
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    Jul 14th 2020, 10:25 PM

    @David cotter: Ethically I agree; why are ordinary citizens paying 52% income tax when Apple are paying minimal taxes on billions of Euro in income? Let’s increase our corporate tax rate to 52% and watch our €10bn p.a. corporate tax revenue evaporate before our eyes. While we’re at that, we might give notice to the 100,000 well paid jobs in foreign multinational companies to look for new employment when Apple et al relocate, and we’ll need to find another few billion in income and other taxes that we’ll lose when those jobs leave our shores.

    14
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    Mute Brian Flavin
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    Jul 14th 2020, 9:23 PM

    Should apple pay €13bn pay to government for would help cover bill stuff etc covid, shouldn’t delay

    6
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    Mute Thomas Bourke
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    Jul 14th 2020, 9:38 PM

    @Brian Flavin: Apple *HAVE* paid the money to the Irish governent. The NTMA in turn has invested that money -> https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ireland-apple/ireland-invests-disputed-apple-taxes-in-low-risk-bonds-idUSKCN1TW2S4

    The issue is, if apple’s deal is found to be completely iffy, then how many others – since 1991 need to be re-opened

    Then the lawsuits start… I mean, if a government agency signed off on a deal back then, how would the investor know the government would be back after them 20 years later.. if you believe the legal fees for Apple are enormous, to quote BTO “you aint’ seen nothing yet…”

    So while the bobbleheads wave their hands in disgust (as it’s APPLE!), the down-the-road issue of lawsuits is forgotten…

    As that meme of Blade (with an unsheaved swords) behind the characters from twilight says.. this will not end well

    9
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    Mute Fintan O'flaois
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    Jul 14th 2020, 10:20 PM

    @Brian Flavin: You may believe so but it’s not legally possible until the escrow agent in New York who is holding the €13bn releases the funds, once Apple’s case with the European Court of Justice is resolved.

    3
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    Mute Paul Buckley
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    Jul 14th 2020, 10:56 PM

    Ireland should be kicked out of the EU, I dont want to be in it, and more than likely will never get a chance to vote on an Irexit.

    Yes I know all the comments will be coming in by the lickarses I want an Independent Ireland , we didn’t fight a war of Independence only to leave one Union to join another , utter betrayal to our Fenian Dead.

    7
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    Mute Ian Breathnach
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    Jul 14th 2020, 11:27 PM

    @Paul Buckley: Is that you Gemma?

    15
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    Mute Paul Buckley
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    Jul 15th 2020, 12:40 AM

    @Ian Breathnach: no it GO’D to you

    1
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    Mute Bornicks eyes.
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    Jul 14th 2020, 10:33 PM

    Don’t worry, when the final Bell has rung on this virus debacle ,there will be very few Corporation s around anywhere to pay tax…it’s simple economic s no consumer need, no products or services needed, no money changing hands no corporation s.. maybe McDonald’s and fast food may survive but the airline and tourism as we know it will change for the foreseeable future.

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    Mute Teresa Ryan
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    Jul 15th 2020, 8:32 AM

    @Bornicks eyes.: No consumers for technology? Not going to happen.

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    Mute Teresa Ryan
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    Jul 15th 2020, 8:31 AM

    Yet billions of state aid was required to bail out the banks. Billions of state aid will be required to bail out businesses after Covid-19. What’s the difference?

    1
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