Business welcomes outcome

Business interests last night welcomed Saturday's Yes vote, saying it cleared the way for Ireland to capitalise on the trade opportunities that EU enlargement will bring.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Ireland, which represents US multinationals in the Republic, said its members had been concerned about the implications for future investment in Ireland had Nice been rejected a second time. Chamber president Mr Bernard Collins said the Yes vote underlined Ireland's position as a key location for any US company looking for a foothold in the European marketplace.

The "IFSC For Yes" group said the margin of endorsement of the treaty was a "very positive development for business in Ireland". Group chairman and chief executive of Deutsche International (Ireland) Mr Willie Slattery said the Yes vote would enhance Ireland's image among "EU member-states, the Commission and in other institutions where goodwill is important".

Employers' group IBEC welcomed the vote and "the opportunities it would bring for trade in an enlarged European Union".

It added that both sides of the Irish debate should be listened to by the Convention on the Future of Europe as it continued its work. "The key challenge for the European Union going forward is that all institutions and the hundreds of millions of people in the new Europe actively engage with each other," a spokeswoman said.

Irish Exporters Association chief executive Mr John Whelan said his group welcomed the vote. However, he cautioned that Ireland's international trade strategy must be revised by Forfás and other Government bodies because current policy was out of date. Exports to Ireland's key continental European markets declined by 34 per cent in the first six months of the year and the State's exporters would continue to lose in an enlarged Europe unless strategy was radically reviewed, he said. He added that the State might benefit best by entering into trade agreements with various accession nations.

The Chambers of Commerce of Ireland said ratification of Nice was crucial for continued economic and social development.

The Yes vote would enhance Ireland's voice in the EU and boost business opportunities for Irish companies, said chief executive Mr John Dunne. It also provided the countries of eastern and central Europe with the same opportunities Ireland gained by its entry into the EEC 30 years ago.

Mr Pat Delaney, director of the Small Firms Association, said the Yes vote was "a good decision and the right decision". He added: "Ireland does about €67 billion in trade with EU members and that will grow considerably now." Given the size of Ireland, most firms need to export at an early stage of their development and the bigger the EU, the more export opportunities would arise, he said. ICT Ireland, which represents the information and communications technology sector, said the referendum outcome reinforced Ireland's position as a location of choice for foreign direct investment. The opportunities provided by an enlarged market would be of tremendous advantage to Irish companies, boosting trade and employment, said ICT director Mr Brendan Butler.

Mr John Power, chief executive of the Irish Hotels Federation, said the ratification of Nice "sends a positive message to existing and accession states, who see Ireland as a welcoming and friendly country". He said it provided Ireland's tourism sector with "endless opportunities".

The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association, which remained neutral on Nice during the campaign, welcomed the fact that the electorate seemed more informed on the treaty than before. Chief executive Mr Mark Fielding said people had clearly listened to both sides of the debate and "taken it on board".