Ireland is to submit a new batch of information to the European Commission as its probe into Apple's tax payments continues.

A Department of Finance spokesperson said that additional documents will be sent to Brussels today.

The Irish Times reports that the sitting Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, said yesterday that he does not believe that the EU is waiting for the formation of a government in Ireland until it releases its findings.

"I don’t think the two events are connected at all ... They’re constantly requesting additional information from us. They’re moving at their own private timetable," Mr Noonan said.

He added that he expects a final ruling during 2016.

The EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager told a European Parliament hearing on April 4th that the "first priority is the quality of the casework" and that it is "very difficult to make predictions as to when the case will be ready for a decision."

A ruling had been expected during the second quarter of 2015.

Apple revealed in 2013 that it had paid an effective tax rate of less than 2% in Ireland for 10 years.

The European Commission is investigating whether the company has given preferential treatment in return for creating and maintaining jobs in the country.

Both Apple and officials from the previous Irish government indicated that they would be prepared to fight a negative finding from Europe.