Why Ireland needs Europe

After 36 years of membership many people take the European Union for granted. The EU is the greatest force for peace and development in the history of both this island and the continent as a whole. Its record of achievement is unmatched - but it remains as important to our future as it has been to our past.

Ireland needs Europe to secure social progress
• In a time when global competition can have many negative sides, only through the common rules and security of the EU can we secure equality and worker protection as well as economic growth - Europe is the only way to stop an international ‘race to the bottom’.

Ireland needs Europe for Foreign Investment and Jobs
• Ireland’s attractiveness as a destination for foreign investment stems directly from our positive approach to EU membership, which offers both access to 500 million consumers and a real engagement with all aspects of the Union.
• This investment sustains hundreds of thousands of Irish jobs.
• Ireland has attracted a vastly disproportionate share of foreign direct investment, particularly from US companies. By 2007 the value of FDI in Ireland from the US alone was worth €20 billion.

Ireland needs Europe for Market Access
• Ireland is the most export dependant country in the EU. Two out of three 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.

Ireland needs Europe for banking support
• The liquidity made available by the European Central Bank to Irish banks has been indispensable during the credit crunch.
• 15% of the loans given out by the ECB to the European banking sector went to Irish-based institutions.

Ireland needs the Euro
• Ireland has gained greatly from having a leading international currency, the Euro.
• As a member of the Eurzone, the European Central Bank has ensured that our interest rates are at an all-time low.

Ireland needs Europe to compete with emerging powers
• India and China are now major players in the global economy. Being part of the EU protects us and allows us to better compete with these economies.

Ireland needs Europe to tackle the Climate Emergency
• No country can tackle the climate emergency by itself and, with the new provisions of the Lisbon Treaty, the EU can take the lead role in helping all countries find a way forward to both deliver economic growth and protect the environment.

Ireland needs Europe for Energy Security
• Over recent years the threats to Europe’s energy security have become clear - and the need for collective action has become overwhelming.
• If the Lisbon Treaty is ratified, the EU will be able to take a more active role in ensuring energy security for Ireland and all member states.