A Government Minister has hit out at international criticism of Ireland's tax dealings with Apple.

The European Commission yesterday accused the country of negotiating two special deals with the company, which employs 4,000 people in Cork.

It is alleging Ireland negotiated with Apple on how much of its profits would be taxed here.

The EC document forms the basis for a full investigation by the Commission into Apple's tax affairs, which could take several years.

Apple could be forced to pay decades of tax in arrears if it is deemed to have received unfair state aid from the Irish government.

Both the Government and the technology giant have denied any wrongdoing.

Minister of State and Labour TD in Cork North Central Kathleen Lynch says finances are not the only reason Apple is doing business here:

The Department of Finance has said it is confident there was no State aid breach and that it will defend its position 'vigorously'.

A statement from the Department also highlighted that "it is expected that a final decision in relation to this investigation will take a considerable period of time. The purpose of the publication of the Opening Decision is to give interested parties the opportunity to submit comments directly to the European Commission."

Apple has said it "pays every euro of every tax that we owe. Since the iPhone launched in 2007, our taxes in Ireland have increased tenfold."