EU 'vital' to economic future

The Taoiseach Brian Cowen said today that Ireland needed to fully engage with the European Union to secure its economic future as the global recession deepens.

In a statement issued to mark Europe Day Mr Cowen said the State's "full and positive involvement" in the EU was "now more critical than ever".

"As we continue to meet the challenges of the worldwide recession head on,  our membership of the European Union is now more vital to our economic  future than ever," the statement continued.

Mr Cowen said that the Republic's economic growth over the last two decades would not have been possible without its membership of the  EU and stressed that  it was playing a pivotal role "in helping this country to handle the economic challenges we face."

He said that safeguarding jobs, reforming the banking sector and stimulating economic activity were priority issues across the EU now. "Ireland is – and will  continue to – play our part in resolving the current difficulties. Working together we will succeed."

He stressed the need to convey the message nationally and internationally that the Republic was "open for business".

He said it was important that Ireland used the European Parliament elections on June 5th "to send a team to Europe who will build on Ireland's reputation as a positive, engaged and constructive EU member. This is in all of our best interests – now and  into the future."