The Irish government has decided to appeal a demand by the European Commission that Apple pay Dublin 13 billion euros in back taxes, although independent members of the coalition called for the review.

"This government stands fully behind our corporate tax regime. It is absolutely essential that this system and this rate be maintained," Donohoe, a member of the main Irish coalition party, Fine Gael, told a news conference.

(Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Robin Pomeroy)