* 81% of CEOs in the Mid-West say Lisbon rejection damaged Ireland’s international reputation
* Over 97% say EU membership has been important to the success of Irish business
NEW figures and a report were released this week to show that the preliminary findings of a new survey of nearly 100 CEOs from across the Mid-West region has found that 81 per cent believe last year’s Lisbon Treaty rejection has damaged Ireland’s international reputation.
The survey also found that that 97 per cent of the CEOs surveyed believe that EU membership has been important to the success of Irish business. Among companies with over 50 employees the figure was 100% while for companies with fewer than 50 employees the figure was 95.6 per cent.
Commenting on the survey, IBEC regional director Chris O’Donovan said: “At a time of great economic turbulence a question mark hangs over our reputation and our relationship with Europe. A yes vote is an essential step on the road to economic recovery and will send a very positive signal to our European and international partners.
“When we voted on the Treaty in June last year 100 people a day were losing their jobs, now almost 600 jobs are being lost each day. A significant number of jobs have been lost in the Mid-West over recent weeks and months. Element Six announced plans to lay off 370 workers at its facility in the Shannon Industrial Estate last week. The move was a further blow to employment in the Mid-West region, which has suffered a litany of bad news on the jobs front over the past year, including almost 2,000 lay-offs at Dell. We face enormous challenges and we must focus on protecting as many jobs as possible. We have an opportunity on October 2 to send a clear message to our European and international partners that we want to play a full and active part in a reformed Europe.
“By removing the uncertainty that currently exists we will ensure that Ireland remains an attractive location for foreign investment, while Irish companies will gain improved access to the European market of over 500 million people.
“The Treaty will protect key national interests and reform the EU to face the challenges ahead. Our ability to set our own tax policy is guaranteed along with arrangements concerning foreign direct investment. This means that Ireland will remain among one of the most attractive places in the world to invest.
“It is vital that Ireland is at the heart of a reformed and better-functioning EU. The Treaty will reform how decisions are made in the EU so that Europe can remain an engine for economic growth and prosperity.”
