"We do not want to be in the situation where the Irish Government has to take Apple to court because the European Commission is taking the Irish Government to court. "I think that message is understood and I'd anticipate progress in the coming weeks." Mr Varadkar did not state what the basis for the court action might be, should the Government feel the need to opt for that course of action. The comments come just weeks after Apple boss Tim Cook effectively pulled the plug on the construction of a €850m data centre in Athenry, Co Galway. Plans for the centre were first announced in February 2015, but Apple grew increasingly frustrated over time as the process was held up by planning reviews and court challenges. Last month, EC Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager announced the commission would take court-enforcement action against Ireland over failure to collect the tax money, which is under appeal by both Ireland and Apple.