THE FOUR Fianna Fáil members of the European Parliament insisted yesterday that a No vote in the forthcoming referendum on the Lisbon Treaty would have serious consequences for jobs and investment in Ireland.
Brian Crowley, the president of the UEN (Union for Europe of the Nations) political group in the European Parliament, said that Ireland's established role as an enthusiastic member of the European Union was one of the primary reasons why companies located in this country as the gateway to the EU marketplace of 500 million people.
Seán Ó Neachtáin said the IDA was backing the treaty because it knew well that Ireland's position at the heart of EU policymaking and decisionmaking was a key reason why new firms located in Ireland.
"The American Chamber of Commerce, which represents Irish-based American multinationals, has said that a No vote will result in lower levels of new investment coming from America into Ireland in the near future," he said.
Eoin Ryan, a member of the parliament's economics committee, pointed out that Ireland exported more than €56 billion worth of goods and services in 2006 to the other 26 member states of the EU.
"The comparable figure for the year 1998 was €38 billion. Our membership of the EU has brought us the financial services centre in Dublin and levels of American inward investment into our country substantially in excess of American investment into China, India and Brazil," he said.
Liam Aylward said the single European currency had brought tangible benefits for businesses and consumers alike. The elimination of transaction costs had helped Irish exporters and also helped develop the Irish and European tourism sectors, in a climate where exchange rate risk was eliminated. "But a No vote against this treaty will send out all the wrong signals to companies around the world that want to possibly invest in Ireland.
"I want Ireland to continue to play on the pitch in Europe and not be merely running up and down the sidelines, having no influence over policymaking in Europe whatsoever," said Mr Aylward.
