Supporters of Ireland's role in Europe must debunk some of the argumentsbeing used to oppose the Nice Treaty, according to Brian Crowley.
It is now clearer than ever that the coming months are going to be consumed by a vigorous and broad debate about Ireland's role in the European Union, the provisions of the Nice Treaty and the future development and direction of the European Union.
The EU is at a crossroads. Enlargement is presently the greatest challenge facing the governments and peoples of Europe.
As a people, we will have to shortly decide whether we support or oppose this phase of European development.
Our development has never been hindered by the fact that geographically we are on the periphery of Europe. We have traditionally always looked beyond the boundaries of our island for new ideas and new opportunities. We should look at the enlargement of the EU as offering opportunities for us all once more.
Those who support the enlargement of the EU must convince the Irish people there are clear benefits for our country as the Union grows.
Some people believe that competition from countries in eastern and central Europe will not benefit the future development of the Irish economy.
But consider these arguments.
When it comes to securing foreign direct investment, we presently have to compete against countries such as Germany, France, the Netherlands, Britain, and Sweden, just to name a few. These countries have high educational standards and have very structured and modern systems in place to secure foreign direct investment.
We have secured investment, irrespective of whether the EU had nine member-states or 15 member-states. In a community of 20-plus states, we can continue to secure a greater proportion of investment.
American companies like to locate in Ireland because they view us as the gateway to the European Union marketplace. They believe we have effectively utilised the benefits that the internal market and the single European currency regime can offer and that we will continue to do so.
Irish exports to the 10 candidate countries due to complete enlargement negotiations by year's end have grown from €160 million in 1994 to €1,190 million in 2000.
There are 140,000 people in IDA-backed jobs in Ireland. I believe that with the enlargement of the EU, we can substantially increase the number employed in IDA-supported companies. Outside investors will continue to have confidence in our ability to effectively compete within a larger single market in Europe of up to 550 million people.
The Nice Treaty has nothing to do with taxation issues, which rightly remain the sole preserve of individual member-states.
Under the treaty, smaller member-states in Europe, including Ireland, would do well out of the future reform of the European Commission.
From 2004, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Britain will all lose the right to appoint a second member to the European Commission.
In a community of 27 member-states, each country will have the right to appoint one member to the European Commission. This means that Germany will appoint one member and that smaller countries, such as Ireland, the Netherlands and Denmark, will all appoint a member each to the Commission.
In a community of more than 27 countries, a system of strict rotation and equality will be put in place between larger and smaller member- states. How this system will operate in practice must have the unanimous agreement of all members.
There has been much discussion in farming circles in recent weeks concerning the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) review proposals of the European Commission. The Government has made it known it will vigorously oppose the Commission's plans for the operational framework of the CAP for the period 2003 to 2006.
Ten countries in Europe have objected to the CAP review proposals of the European Commission, including France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Portugal, Finland, Austria, Luxembourg, Greece and Ireland.
We are in a strong position to join forces with these governments when the mid-term CAP review negotiations get under way later this year.
Our agribusiness exporters will benefit from the new market opportunities enlargement will offer.
I firmly believe the declarations signed recently in Seville by the Irish Government and the other 14 EU governments should be welcomed.
These declarations spell out clearly that Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality is not affected by the provisions of the Nice Treaty or any other European treaty.
The Nice Treaty is a good deal for Ireland, a good deal for the smaller countries of Europe and a good deal for the European Union.
By supporting the Nice Treaty, Ireland will not only be showing leadership to the applicant countries, but we will also be guiding the future direction of the European Union.
Brian Crowley is a Fianna Fáil MEP for Munster