Taoiseach Urges Support For EU Reform Treaty To Protect Economic Growth And Job Creation

by Amanda Banks, Tax-News.com, London

05 February 2008

Ireland's Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern has strongly endorsed the EU Reform Treaty, expressing confidence that the Irish people will safeguard Ireland’s future economic stability and growth by strongly supporting it.

In his first major public statement on the Treaty, delivered last week, the Taoiseach emphasised that the Reform Treaty’s sensible and pragmatic approach to modernising the European Union very much reflected Ireland’s approach to the Union.

The Irish people too would assess the Treaty, and the broader benefits of the EU, in a sensible and pragmatic way, he suggested.

Speaking at the National Forum on Europe, the Taoiseach observed that: “The Irish people want a Europe that is equipped to support social and economic development and job creation, and rise to the global challenges of the 21st century.”

The Irish leader argued that the Treaty is a balanced document which provides a sensible and pragmatic recipe for a more efficient and effective EU.

He stated that it modernises the Union’s institutions to better deliver for Europe and its citizens in the face of increasingly international challenges.

Cautioning against taking the European Union for granted, the Taoiseach recalled the massive benefits to Ireland of EU membership, which range from the single market and the euro, to cheaper air travel, the European Health Insurance Card scheme and the freedom to travel, study and work across Europe.

Concluding his address, the Taoiseach added that Ireland was being presented with an opportunity to affirm its commitment to the European project in these times of global economic turbulence.

Support for the Treaty would send a positive signal of Ireland’s ability and willingness to embrace progress and maintain a leadership role in a fast changing world, he observed.

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