CEOs more negative towards EU

Almost half of company bosses have become more negative towards the EU since the start of the economic downturn, according to a new study, although firms remain overwhelmingly in favour of Ireland’s continuing involvement in the eurozone.

The survey of Irish chief executives by employers’ representative body Ibec shows that 88% see Ireland’s continuing membership of the eurozone as being important to the future prosperity of their business, while 73% of respondents said that the Government’s recent ratification of the proposed EU fiscal treaty was an important measure.

“Ireland’s economic links to Europe remain central to our economic recovery,” according to Brendan Butler, Ibec’s director of policy.