Ireland: Bridging the Gap from the Western Periphery of the Union Building Bridges Paper Series
Despite the difficult economic crisis Ireland has experienced and the implementation of a far-reaching bailout programme, the Irish continue to believe that their EU membership has been positive in political and economic terms. As a small state in the EU, Ireland hopes to continue to be able to shape policy outcomes and remain actively involved in the core of the EU.
Ireland is an open economy, which requires a favourable climate for exports and inward investment. This explains its support for decreasing barriers to the free movement of services, especially in the digital realm where Ireland has a competitive edge, and in trade.
Ireland is pragmatic with regard to the degree of integration it deems necessary, but has always striven to remain at the core of the EU. Nonetheless, most Irish people wish to see the Economic and Monetary Union advance to a level where stability can be guaranteed alongside a budgetary and financial system.
This publication is part of the "Building Bridges Paper Series". For more information about this project, click here.