Those on our side of this debate have been criticized for linking the Lisbon Treaty with jobs or recovery. It is, of course, not as simple as a claim that there will be jobs that will be created or maintained directly because of the vote on the Treaty, but it is part of the process. It is because of the reality that we attracted multinationals to this country for many reasons, such as our low tax rates and our well-educated English-speaking population, but also because we provided a link to a European Union which now has a population of 500 million.
If we were to vote No, the appetite for reform among other European countries would not be diminished. But with the likely election of the highly Eurosceptic David Cameron as Prime Minister, the United Kingdom could well decide to opt out of that process. After a second No vote, European leaders could justly assume that we had made our decision clear that we did not wish to be part of that process either. While the United Kingdom could afford to go it alone if they wished, we should not consider this an option for us.
It is true that we will remain members of the European Union no matter what way we vote on 2 October. But a No vote will mean that we will not be a part of core decision-making processes. Particularly for those who have had concerns about EU policies in the past, such as on agriculture and fisheries, it is crucial that Irish voices are heard at all levels of the EU.
This might seem like a biased analysis coming from this organization. It is backed up, however, by those who have no interest beyond creating and securing jobs, and by independent economic analysts. Those working at all levels, whether small firms, medium enterprises or multinationals, have emphasised the importance to job-creation and maintenance in this country of a strong commitment to Europe.
A recent survey by IBEC found that 86% of employers polled believed the passing the Lisbon Treaty was important or very important to Ireland’s recovery. In its statement, IBEC Director of EU and International Affairs Brendan Butler said: “Ireland has been very successful in attracting major investment from abroad, which in turn has led to the creation of many jobs. Being fully engaged with Europe is vital to ensure this continues. A yes vote will send a positive signal to foreign investors that Ireland is committed to being a key player in the world’s most successful economic union.”
Most significant is perhaps the judgement of academic economists in the Indecon report, which surveyed the views of the 66 non-government economists in all Irish universities and the ESRI. The report concluded that our vote would have a significant effect on the cost of borrowing. Alan Gray, one of the authors of the report, wrote that “a No vote would result in additional concerns about Ireland’s precise role in Europe at a time when we cannot afford any self-imposed additions to our economic problems.” Equally, many economists have spoken out in their own capacity, such as Prof. Alan Matthews writing for Irish Economy yesterday.
It is vital not to create this uncertainty about Ireland’s place within the European Union at this time given the state of our public finances, the cost of borrowing and our rate of unemployment. Over the remaining nine days, we will be maintaining a focus on this aspect of the referendum and the implications of our vote.
Tags: David Cameron, economists, Economy, ESRI, IBEC, Indecon, Intel, Microsoft
“Former MEP Patricia McKenna has said that the decision of the EU Commission to sanction a Polish government grant of €54.5 million to help with the relocation of Dell’s operations from Limerick ‘exposes the EU’s hypocrisy and disregard for Irish jobs’ at a time when voters are being told that a ‘Yes’ vote will protect employment in Ireland.”
So,Let’s talk about our place within the European Union after we will lose Irish constitution.
Did Ms. McKenna complain when the Irish government grant-aided companies like Microsoft, Intel and even Dell to come here?
I can remember when Krups closed down their German factory to shift production to Limerick back in the late 1970’s. Maybe the Shinners were too busy fighting their “war” back then to object, perhaps Ms. McKenna was saving a tree somewhere and didn’t notice. But we generously aided direct investment and were happy to.
Poland have done nothing that we haven’t done in the past to attract FDI. And incidentally have used their own money!
Our problem in attracting investment will increase tenfold should we reject Lisbon.
@John, “lose our Constitution”……Just what COIR poster did you pick that lie from?
EU competition law prohibits agreements, arrangements and concerted business practices which appreciably prevent, restrict or distort competition. The part that the EU had to play in the Dell move was TOTALLY AGAINST european policy – according to THEIR OWN POLICY. It is a European game to bring Ireland to it’s knees. Germany was on it’s knees when Hitler was voted in. My point? People do stupid things when they are desperate. What concerns me is that while people view a ‘yes’ vote for Lisbon as a way to help Irish jobs, they are unwilling to research the main employers in Ireland – U.S. Companies!
Ireland should be highly protective of American companies operating in Ireland expecially since the Democrats won the presidential race in the U.S.? Why? Democrats are seen to want to raise corporate taxes here causing U.S. corporation to seek “tax break countries” like Ireland. Many U.S. companies planning to come to Ireland to avoid high corporate taxes here (in the U.S), will not…
Our problem in attracting investment will increase tenfold should we reject Lisbon.
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Would you like to explain why or is that just more empty rhetoric?
I’m waiting …
Keep waiting….. For foreign direct investment that is, if you get your way.
Why do you grand conspiracy theorists believe fervently that companies worldwide would not see a rejection by Ireland of the Treaty as Ireland turning its back on the EU? Intel were lobbied intensely by Israel following last years no vote to move a proposed extension from Leixlip to that country citing the “fact” (untrue we know) that Ireland were pulling out of the EU!.
People who sit in boardrooms making these and similar investment decisions haven’t time to get into the nitty-gritty of Irish concerns about non-treaty issues such as abortion, militarism. They might if they’d ever bother to look, amaze themselves that they considered investing in a country where people could believe children were about to be conscripted to a non-existent army, to fight an as yet unknown enemy.
No, they just want to get into a marketplace of 500 million people, and if they perceive Ireland is not part of it…
and if they perceive Ireland is not part of it they won’t set up here. They won’t be short of competing nations looking for FDI whispering in the ears of CEO’s worldwide that Ireland has voted to return to its glorious agrarian, priest-ridden past, rather than taking its place in a community of independent nations.
Rhetoric enough?
And here’s what Fianna Fáil have to say on the Economic effect of the Lisbon Treaty vote http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIFlooDwBxQ
YES = End of democracy in Europe. Vote NO!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvQp0E1UZxU
Lisbon will destroy, not save, workers rights
http://europeanjournal.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/09/ireland-lisbon-will-destroy-not-save-workers-rights.html
NO RIGHT TO STRIKE:
http://www.anphoblacht.com/news/detail/29764
vote no- save democracy and stop police state EU-sovjet union.
http://www.voteno.ie/
In the Laval case, the ECJ ruled Swedish unions had breached EU law by forcing a Latvian company employing workers in Sweden to observe local pay agreements, while the verdict in the Viking case suggested unions cannot call a strike against a firm moving its employment from one member state to another in order to lower wages :
http://www.poptel.org.uk/against-eurofederalism/d108glbl.html
I voted for Lisbon this time because I am so disgusted with our own Government. I was not happy with Lisbon
but we do not have any choice. Our own Government let us down and are nothing but gangsters. So if our
Government or anyone else thinks that we voted for Lisbon, we voted our of fear and desperation because of our
economic position.
All this is due to our own Irish Government with over spending and corruption. Excessive spending by our
politicians is sickening, for example our former tourism minister Mr. O Donoghue, need I say anymore.
At the end of the day, I feel that with Europe may there be some hope for honestly and accountability , hopefully!!