A VOTE in favour of the Lisbon Treaty is vital for the success of business in Ireland, employers group Ibec has said ahead of the launch of its nationwide campaign for a Yes vote.
The umbrella group, which represents more than 7,000 employers, said a vote for the treaty would be "the right vote for jobs and the economy" at a time of increasing economic challenges.
Ibec's director of EU and international affairs, Brendan Butler, said previous EU treaties had brought benefits to Ireland and opened up new opportunities: "This treaty will do the same."
Noting Ireland's dependence on exports, Mr Butler said EU membership and access to the single market had seen a "dramatic rise" in exports to Europe.
"These exports have more than doubled since we joined the European Economic Community in 1973 and now make up almost half of total exports. Access to the European market and its customer base of 486 million people has been a vital ingredient in our success."
The Lisbon Treaty would ensure the EU and the single market develop in a way that suits Ireland and Irish business, he said, noting that the State's ability to set its own tax policy is guaranteed under the treaty. "This means that Ireland will remain among one of the most attractive places in the world to invest."
Outlining the increasingly difficult economic conditions faced by Irish exporters due to a weakened dollar and sterling, Mr Butler said it was important to "focus attention on our trade with the EU and beyond" to safeguard jobs and boost investment.
"The Lisbon Treaty will reform how decisions are made in the EU so that Europe can remain an engine for economic growth and prosperity. The treaty will enable the EU to respond faster to the new challenges ahead, such as energy security, the rise of India and China as economic forces, and climate change. This is vital for the success of business in Ireland," he said.
Meanwhile, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (ICAI) said at the weekend it would also call for a Yes vote in the referendum. Speaking at the close of the ICAI's annual conference, president Vincent Sheridan said it was wrong for opponents of the treaty to say it posed a threat to Ireland's corporate tax rate.
Mr Sheridan said the ICAI had decided to enter the treaty debate because of its importance to Irish business and the economy.