Except the payment would be made by Apple to Ireland and not to the EU. And specifically Ireland can only use it to pay down their deficit. So they are kind of

Except the payment would be made by Apple to Ireland and not to the EU. And specifically Ireland can only use it to pay down their deficit. So they are kind of doing Ireland a favour here, Ireland get to claim the tax from Apple but by contesting the original ruling they can try to curry some favour with Apple to prevent them moving their business entirely from Ireland.