Thread by @DanMulhall

In 1973, Ireland was an outlier in Western Europe. Far behind other EEC members in economic terms; the sole non-NATO member among the 9; socially, far more conservative. The others were sceptical of 🇮🇪’s membership credentials. They accepted us primarily as a UK add-on.

https://twitter.com/danmulhall/status/1609133183659802625

That 1978 decision to join EMS was a brave one in view of the importance of 🇬🇧 for our exports. It set a pattern of opting to take the European path whenever a choice needed to be made. Over the years, our economic dependence on UK has declined although it remains a vital market

In 1973, Ireland’s per capita national wealth was less than 2/3 of the EEC average. The early years of membership saw gains for agriculture but problems for industry as firms faced the rigours of free trade. Cohesion funding provided valuable support, e.g. for our fledgling RTCs.

Accession of 🇪🇸, 🇵🇹 & 🇬🇷 turned out to be a game changer for Ireland. It meant that we were no longer the sole member State in particular need of cohesion funding. This led to meaningful sums coming to 🇮🇪 from EU. The Edinburgh Council approved a doubling of funds to 🇮🇪’s benefit

EU cohesion funding was dramatically increased in the 1990s to help the weaker economies, then inc. Ireland, to cope with the rigours of the single market. It turned out to be a boost for Ireland’s open economy & helped attract huge US investment. The Irish economy then took off.

Why did Ireland do so well out of EU membership? Because it took membership seriously and quickly recognised the opportunities it offered to a hitherto under-performing economy excessively dependent on its nearest neighbour. Irish officials & politicians stepped up to the mark.

There are those who say that Ireland has lost sovereignty as an EU member, but Ireland is a member because it is a sovereign state. A majority of Scots would probably like to be in the EU, but can’t because only sovereign states can join. We pool sovereignty in EU to our benefit.

Sovereignty is not something to be cosseted & admired. Countries take sovereign decisions in order to advance their interests. Use their sovereignty to achieve things as Ireland does in EU, e.g. economic advancement. States can leave the EU but then lose benefits of membership.

EU membership suits smaller countries.They get a seat at table & can make their voices heard. It does not put Malta on par with Germany, but allows smaller states to have say in shaping their external environment. As part of Sterling area, Ireland had no say. It does in € zone.

#Brexit negotiations are a perfect example of value of EU membership. In bilateral talks, Ireland would have been steamrolled, but EU has the weight to represent its members collective interests more effectively. With 2 strong entities,EU & UK,it means that compromise is required

When I served in Brussels on the ‘90s and on subsequent visits, I saw how Irish officials were skilled at the soft power art of persuasion & building a good rapport with officials from other member States. Those ties are vital when we have an ask at EU meetings, e.g. on #Brexit.

EU membership did wonders for our relations with the UK as Ministers & officials met each other daily at EU meetings for 45 years. We were often on same side in discussions. Heads of Govt. were able to meet in the margins of EU gatherings to tease out tricky issues regarding NI.

The EU played an non-intrusive but helpful & supportive role in the GFA negotiations & came up with funding to support the peace process. I do not think the GFA would have happened in the absence of the mutual understanding built up between Ireland & UK in an EU context.

Overall, the balance sheet of #EU50 is strongly in the black. Ireland has taken full advantage of the opportunities of membership & derived considerable benefit from it. The aftermath of the 2009/10 global financial crisis was traumatic for Ireland with severe austerity incurred.

Even there, however, it is unclear what would have happened to our economy had an EU/IMF rescue package not been available to us - at a cost.I know there are those who say we ought to ‘burned the bond holders’,but what would that have done to our international financial standing?

In any event, Ireland bounced back from the setbacks of 2009/10 and we seem at ease as EU members with strong electoral support for membership. Of course, nothing can be taken for granted and the future is invariably a bewilderingly unknown quantity. There are no easy options!