Tim Cook getting award for Apple's 40 years of investment in Ireland

Apple is to be honored with an award from Ireland's Taoiseach, or prime minister, Leo Varadkar, when Tim Cook visits Dublin later this month. It's in recognition of how Apple has continuously invested in the country for four decades.

According to Bloomberg, the award will be presented during the visit on January 20.

Apple is one of Ireland's largest employers, but in 2019 it topped the Irish Times list of biggest companies predominantly because of tax reasons. Ireland's entire population is around 4.84 million and there are no Apple Stores in the region.

Yet because its Ireland operation acts as an international hub, Apple recorded sales through it of approximately $133.67 billion in 2019.

Ireland's tax laws have long benefited Apple, but since 2016 both the company and the Irish government have been embroiled in a disagreement with the European Union. The EU imposed a $15 billion tax bill, asserting that Ireland had granted Apple unfair deals.

Apple paid the bill but, in conjunction with the Irish government, has been appealing the ruling.