EMPLOYER GROUPS:A SURVEY of employers in Ireland has found the majority believe a Yes vote in Lisbon is crucial for economic recovery.
The survey of 500 Irish employers, carried out for employers’ body Ibec, found 86 per cent believed a Yes was important or very important. It also found that more than 98 per cent of employers believed EU membership had been important to the success of Irish business. Among companies with more than 50 employees, the figure was 100 per cent.
Brendan Butler, Ibec director of EU and international affairs, said a Yes vote would send a positive signal to Europe and internationally, and was an essential building block on the road to economic recovery. “In these very difficult economic times, we need a positive relationship with our partners in Europe more than ever,” he said. “We face enormous economic challenges and we must focus on protecting as many jobs as possible.”
At a time of great economic turbulence, Mr Butler said a question mark hung over our reputation and our relationship with Europe. “By removing the uncertainty that currently exists, a Yes vote will ensure that Ireland remains an attractive location for foreign investment. A Yes vote is a very positive step . . . on the road to recovery.”
The EU was Ireland’s most important export market, he added, representing almost 65 per cent of all exports. Some 198,000 people are directly employed by companies exporting to the EU and a further 200,000 jobs are provided through subsuppliers and related activities. Exports by Irish companies to the EU had grown by almost 100 per cent since the single market was established in 1997, he said. The single market and access to a customer base of 500 million customers throughout the EU had been factors that contributed to the growth.
Mr Butler said there were still some restrictions on access to EU markets for Irish companies. “The Lisbon Treaty will further help Irish companies by ensuring that European rules give Irish exporters better access to EU markets.”
He said the treaty would enable the EU to respond faster to the challenges ahead, such as energy security, global health threats, the rise of India and China as economic forces, and climate change.
