Yes for the economy
By James Lawless ~ September 25th, 2009. Filed under: Europe, Politics, Social & Economic.
Why Yes for the Economy?
In what ways does Ireland Need Europe?
1. Ireland needs Europe for Investment and Jobs
- Foreign investment sustains hundreds of thousands of Irish jobs.
- Ireland’s attractiveness as a destination for foreign investment stems directly from our positive approach to EU membership.
- The people who invest in Ireland, and who we need for job creation, all say that we need to vote Yes to Lisbon
2. Ireland needs Europe for Exports
- Ireland is the most export dependant country in the EU. 2 out of 3 jobs in Ireland depend on exports.
- As a member of the EU, Ireland has direct access to 500 million consumers.
- Prior to joining the EEC community in 1973, Britain was the main destination for Irish exports. Now 63% of all our exports go to the EU.
3. Ireland needs the Euro
- Ireland has gained greatly from having a leading international currency, the euro.
- The European Central Bank has been indispensable during the credit crunch.
How will voting Yes help our economy?
The most significant thing about the current crisis is how most of the challenges can’t be dealt with by countries acting alone. Unfortunately, the last year has seen the EU’s limitations in how or how fast it can act. As a small open economy, Ireland needs an EU which is more efficient and effective, especially at times like this.
How will voting Yes help to protect and create Jobs?
1. A Yes vote will improve business confidence by removing uncertainty and improving stability. This is key to stimulating domestic enterprise. That is why all the country’s business organisations are supporting a Yes vote.
2. A Yes vote will send out the right message to international investors. One of the reasons why companies set up here was that Ireland was viewed as a player in the EU, which was the best gateway for their business into the European market.
3. A Yes vote will commit the EU to the policy of achieving full employment when framing its economic policies. All economic policies that come from Europe will have to first and foremost be designed to create jobs.
4. A Yes vote will require the EU to develop renewable and sustainable energy sources. As one of the best placed countries in the EU to produce “green” energy, Ireland stand to gain from the creation of thousands of new jobs.
We’ll still be in the EU if we vote No, so it won’t impact on our economy?
- An EU which isn’t capable of acting fact even in the face of the largest economic crisis in 70 years is a bad thing for us.
- A lot of investment came to Ireland rather than other countries because we were seen as a Euro-positive country at the centre of decisions and developments.
- A No vote is a major risk – and there is no conceivable economic upside to a No vote.
What will happen to Ireland if there is a No vote?
It simply isn’t credible to say that there will be no impact on Ireland if we stand alone against a Treaty even if the issues of concern raised in our referendum have been answered.
- Many countries will start looking for other ways to increase their cooperation with each other. It would be very difficult for us to stop this ‘two-speed Europe’.
