David McWilliams: Let's make Europe work for us - by being as American as possible

Apple CEO Tim Cook – the latest figures show that US multinationals made $100bn, or €96bn, here. However, they only paid €4bn in tax Picture: AP

The latest Apple tax revelations mean that Ireland is now on a collision course with the EU Commission and by extension with the EU itself. In a narrow sense - and this might be the only sense that matters - this is a win/win situation for Ireland.

However, the issues raised are much bigger than the Apple case and centre on how you think the Irish economy might become more prosperous in the years ahead. If the latest spat with the EU (frankly, a directionless 20th century arrangement) forces us to think about what Ireland will look like in a global 21st century economy, then it will have been well worth it.

In terms of this case, let's examine the likely options. They are, in effect, binary - either Ireland wins the appeal or not.

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