We need Europe to protect our interests

WHERE would Ireland be if it was not an EU member? When we joined, our average income per capita was 55% the EU average. Ireland is now the second wealthiest country in EU 27.

The reality is that our economy has grown thanks to EU membership over the past 36 years. The EU has also contributed more than €40 billion to this country over this same period.

To vote against the Lisbon treaty for economic reasons would be a no-brainer. Europe is where we sell our products and EU membership is the reason why foreign companies locate in Ireland.