To me it stinks of private deals made behind closed doors.
Why else would politicians not give a damn about their own country. As long as their ass is dry.
I just hope the EU don't give up. I actually see hope when the EU is made up of people from all sorts of countries, that even a Danish woman can go up against this corruption. DO NOT GIVE UP.
Because if you do that they'll keep their offices open there, which employ a lot of Irish people, as well as bring in a lot of business travelers (current situation not withstanding). Keeping employment up, especially good tech employment, and the PR that goes with it, is probably worth a lot more than 13B.
On the other hand, if you're referring to where taxation occurs, then other countries are free to change their rules to make sure taxation occurs where they want it.
Simply put, Ireland is successfully out-competing high tax, high waste countries (like most of the rest of the EU), and they are sore losers about it.