84% chief executives believe Lisbon rejection damaged country’s international reputation

IBEC, the country’s major employer body, said 84% of Irish chief executives believe last year’s Lisbon treaty rejection damaged Ireland’s international reputation.

More than 300 chief executives from across the country took part in the survey, which showed that over 98% felt that EU membership has been important to the success of Irish business.

Of companies with over 50 employees the figure was 100%, while for companies with fewer than 50 employees the figure was 97.6%.

IBEC director of EU and International Affairs, Brendan Butler, said: “At a time of great economic turbulence a question mark hangs over our reputation and our relationship with Europe.”

He went on to say: “A yes vote is an essential step on the road to economic recovery and will send a very positive signal to our European and international partners When we voted on the treaty in June last year 100 people a day were losing their jobs, now almost 600 jobs are being lost each day.”

This economy faces enormous challenges and has to focus on protecting as many jobs as possible in these difficult times, he said.

The referendum date of October 2 provides us with another opportunity to send a clear message to our European and international partners that “we want to play a full and active part in a reformed Europe”, he said.

By removing that uncertainty we will ensure “Ireland remains an attractive location for foreign investment, while Irish companies will gain improved access to the European market of over 500 million people,” he said. “The treaty will protect key national interests and reform the EU to face the challenges ahead. Our ability to set our own tax policy is guaranteed along with arrangements concerning foreign direct investment.”

It ensures that as an economy and a country “Ireland will remain among one of the most attractive places in the world to invest”.

Mr Butler went on to say that the treaty, if implemented, will allow not just Ireland but Europe to respond more effectively to the global competitive challenges facing it in the years ahead. In effect, it will allow 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. This is vital for the success of business in Ireland, he said.

Responding to the survey, Mr Butler also mentioned the importance of the US to Ireland’s economic well-being, pointing out the “critical importance” of our relationship with the US which has 470 companies invested here and which provide the country with more than 95,000 well paid jobs.