EU the magnet drawing investors to Ireland

IRELAND’S economy has prospered as a member of the EU.

Foreign direct investment in 1973 was only €16 million. There are now 136,000 jobs in IDA companies in Ireland and these generated €3 billion in tax receipts for the exchequer last year.

Our exports to the other 26 EU states were worth more than €56.5bn in 2006. In 1998, they were worth €39bn.