EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said that theEuropean Commission's probe into Apple Inc.'s tax arrangements in Ireland couldtake more time due to the large amount of data involved, Reuters reported April4.

Vestager told a European Parliament hearing that it isdifficult to predict when the matter will be decided because the commission isgiving priority to the quality of case work. The EC accused in2014 that Ireland allowed Apple to shelter profits from tax collectors inreturn for keeping jobs in the country.

The tech giant previously reached a €318 million settlement with 's tax office.

Additionally, following a complaint from the Scottish NationalParty, Vestager asked British taxofficials to supply details on their £130 million back tax with -owned