The Dublin Chamber of Commerce has warned of "serious job losses" if the Nice Treaty is rejected in the forthcoming referendum. The chamber president, Mr Peter Webster, warned that Ireland's position as a "springboard" for US companies into Europe could be threatened by a No vote.
Launching the chamber's Nice Treaty Manifesto yesterday, Mr Webster said, "We would be shooting ourselves completely in the foot if we sent out signals to investors that we are not fully committed to the new Europe. The consequences for jobs in Ireland over the longer term could be very serious."
According to the document, Ireland had established a competitive advantage by being the only English-speaking member of the euro currency zone. "That advantage could be threatened if Ireland were to be perceived as a less than full member of the EU," the document states.
Ireland's relatively low corporate tax rates had also helped to attract inward investment: "If Ireland were to reject Nice, we could come under pressure from other EU member-states to increase our tax rates to higher European norms."
As part of its campaign, the chamber is holding a "Nice Referendum Breakfast" tomorrow. In addition, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the President of the European Parliament, Mr Pat Cox, have been invited to speak on Nice at the chamber's annual dinner in mid-October.