The future of the Irish economy depends on a Yes vote for the Lisbon Treaty - The Cope

Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP said that " we need to send out a very clear message to companies and to investors around the world that Ireland is at the very heart of the European Union.

We must remember that one of the primary reasons why companies invest in Ireland is because we can easily access the internal market, which comprises a population of 500 million people from 26 other countries.

One of the ways that we will get out of economic recession is by increasing export lead growth into the other member states of the European Union.

Those who invest in our country and who create jobs in the Irish economy want to see Ireland fully engaged and supportive of the European Union.

Ratifying the Lisbon Treaty will make decision making processes in Europe more effective and this is good news in terms of the future development of both the Irish and European economies.

We should ask ourselves the question where would Ireland be now if we were not a member of the European Union and a member of the Eurozone.

Our participation in the Eurozone has been a source of great stability for our country during these very difficult times.

It is in our economic interest that we ratify the Lisbon Treaty."