Enlargement is not a threat

I BELIEVE that those proposing EU enlargement will result in less foreign direct investment into Ireland are misguided.

We already have extensive competition for such foreign direct investment from countries such as Germany, Britain, France, Italy, Swedan and the Netherlands, just to name a few. These countries have modern systems in place to entice foreign companies to set up within their respective countries. In fact, Germany, France, Italy and Britain are four of the wealthiest countries in the world.

Since 1973, we have fought against these countries to secure foreign direct investment into our county. We have succeeded over this period and we will continue to do so in an enlarged European Union.