Apple CEO Tim Cook wrote to Ireland's new Prime Minister to congratulate him and talk about the company's future in Ireland. Ireland is Apple's base for all non-U.S. sales and is at the center of a decade-long tax dispute between Apple and the European Union. On January 23, 2025, Michael Martin took office as the Prime Minister of Ireland for the second time, and Tim Cook congratulated him the following week.
The Irish Times published the full text of Cook's letter, with excerpts including the Apple CEO describing Ireland as "incredibly important" to the company.
"We look forward to continuing to work with you and your coalition partners in the coming years," the letter began, without directly mentioning the EU dispute. However, Cook said in the letter that Apple "looks forward to Ireland continuing to play a leadership role at the EU level."
This is partly because the EU rotates the Presidency of the Council of the EU every year. Ireland will take on the role from July 2026, which Cook considers "an important milestone".
Cook also praised Apple's more than 6,000 employees in Ireland and wrote about the expansion of the company's Cork campus. "This work prioritizes public transport and recognizes Ireland's ongoing commitment to supporting inward investment and infrastructure delivery, which is incredibly important to Apple and is our true second home."
Cook concluded his letter by saying he would be "very pleased to welcome you to Cupertino."
The letter, obtained by The Irish Times through a Freedom of Information request, was accompanied by a government statement saying Amazon had offered similar congratulations. The statement said Michael Martin had responded, "acknowledging the long-term contributions of both companies and thanking them for their continued investment."
In 2020, Apple celebrated the 40th anniversary of its branch in Cork, Ireland. Since then, the company has been steadily expanding its operations in Ireland, including opening a product testing facility in 2022.