Transcript Small States in the EU

Small States in the EU:
The Case of Ireland
Ireland as a “small country”
•
•
•
•
•
•
Population
GDP per cap
Relative position in EU
Trade dependencies
Agriculture
Northern Ireland: as a ‘vulnerability’
Entry to the EEC
•
•
•
•
•
•
Referendum 1972
Popular opinion
Dependence on Britain
Agriculture as a bonus CAP benefits
Political spin-offs at home and abroad
Structural funds
Experience of membership
•
•
•
•
CAP payments
Regional funds
Trade diversion (away from UK)
Northern Ireland ‘problem’ more easily
managed
• Legislation conforms with EC norms
• Ireland ‘punches above its weight’ in EU
diplomacy
EMS experience
• Traditional parity with £ Sterling
• Effects of dependence on GB economy
• Joined EMS: imposed discipline on Irish
economy and saw end of parity with £
• Helped combat inflation
• Facilitated trade with FR and DE
• Euro a logical consequence from 2002
Impact on security
•
•
•
•
Ireland’s neutrality
Fitting in with CFSP and ESDP
Influence of other ‘neutrals’
Compatibility with Irish UN peacekeeping
experience
• Lisbon Treaty perspectives
Rising prosperity in Ireland…
Ireland today
•
•
•
•
Celtic Tiger: features and consequences
Role model for E and C Europe?
Immediate prospects for Irish economy
Social attitudes; religion and society;
“Europeanisation” as a source of strength:
parties; policies; external relations; AngloIrish relations; the NI “peace process” –
economic aid to NI from ROI
Ireland today
• 8th smallest in EU (pop)
• 2007 GDP per cap (EU=100) Irel=148 Lux
290
• Coalitions with other EU states change
according to issue eg tax with UK, Farming
with FR, Defence with SE, Comission with
Lux
• Schengen + JHA with UK
Irelands’relative wealth
Ireland today
• 10% of pop is non-national
• Ireland has contributed to EU through its
Presidencies e.g. 1975 Lome Convention
2004 IGC
• Erasmus has reinforced uniuversity
chamnge
• Ryanair has “integrated” people; property;
mental ‘maps’