Ireland in Europe
History
Ireland joined the European Economic Community (EEC) on 1 January 1973 and has participated actively in the evolution of what is now called the European Union (EU).
EU membership is pivotal to Irish Government policy. It is a central framework within which the Government pursues its foreign policy objectives. Ireland's membership of the European Union is rooted in an understanding that the Union is the cornerstone of political and economic stability in Europe.
Benefits of Membership of the EU
The Single Market
The most obvious economic benefit of membership of the Union has been the unhindered access it allows to a market of some 460 million people. Membership has contributed to rapid progress in a range of areas including the development of agriculture, industry and services. It is estimated that 700,000 jobs have been created in Ireland during the years of membership and that trade has increased 90 fold. In addition, the levels of Foreign Direct Investment in to Ireland have increased dramatically as a result of our membership of the EU. In 1972, a mere €16 million was coming into the economy from foreign investors. Thirty years later, with full access to European markets, foreign investment is measured in billions. It has exceeded €30 billion and our economy has been transformed with over 128,000 people employed in the 1000+ companies in the foreign-owned sector.
Benefits to the Citizen
Apart from the economic benefits, membership of the Union has had a major impact on social and cultural life in Ireland. In addition, every Irish citizen is also an EU citizen. Among the rights conveyed by EU citizenship are the right to move, work and reside freely within the territory of other Member States, subject to certain limitations.
Economic and Social Cohesion
The European Union embodies the principle of economic and social cohesion. This means that the less prosperous regions in the European Union are helped to reduce disparities between their levels of development and those of the more prosperous regions. This principle was reinforced in the Single European Act (1986) and again in the Maastricht Treaty (1992). Ireland has been allocated over €3.9billion from the Structural and Cohesion Funds for the period 2000-2006 and over €17billion since joining the then EEC in 1973.
External Relations
By getting involved in the EU, Ireland can ensure that our views
and interests are reflected in the policies of the Union towards
the rest of the world. The EU has considerable influence in
world affairs and our participation enhances our ability to pursue
our traditional policy of promoting a stable, peaceful and
prosperous international environment with structures based on the
rule of law, respect for human rights and representative
government.
Ireland's voice in the world and the pursuit of Ireland's foreign
policy is greatly enhanced through its participation in the
formulation and implementation of the European Union's common foreign and
security policy (CFSP). As a community of shared values,
the EU is uniquely placed to play a role in support of
international peace and stability. In today's globalised and
increasingly interdependent world, Ireland and its EU Partners work
together to promote international peace and security and
co-operative and mutually beneficial relations with neighbouring
states and regions. Core principles that have always inspired
Ireland's foreign policy, such as respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law, are also
central to the pursuit of the CFSP. An important element of
the CFSP is the Union's developing capabilities in the areas of
conflict prevention, peacekeeping and crisis management under the
European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) in accordance with the
principles of the UN Charter. Ireland has played an active
role in the development of the ESDP and will continue to contribute
constructively to this process in accordance with our own foreign
policy priorities and traditions.
Presidency of the European Union
Ireland has held the six-month Presidency of the Council of the European Union on six occasions, in 1975, 1979, 1984, 1990, 1996 and most recently, in 2004. On 1 May 2004 Ireland oversaw the biggest enlargement in the history of the Union when ten new Member States acceded to the EU: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.
The Irish in Brussels
Ireland has 13 Members of the European Parliament; they are elected from 4 constituencies by the Single Transferable Vote method of Proportional Representation. Ireland also has one member of the European Commission, Mr. Charlie McCreevy, who currently holds the portfolio for the Internal Market and Services. In addition, many Irish men and women hold senior positions with in the various EU bodies, and an Irishwoman, Catherine Day, serves as the Secretary-General of the European Commission. Ms. Day succeeded Mr. David O’Sullivan, another Irish national.
The Irish Language
On 1 January 2007 Irish became the 21st Official and Working Language of the European Union. (Statement by an Taoiseach on the occasion of Irish becoming an Official and Working Language of the EU). Key EU legislation will now be translated into Irish and Government Ministers will be able to speak in Irish at Council meetings. In addition, knowledge of the Irish language will be taken into account the purposes of recruitment to the EU institutions.
