Lisbon 'essential to recovery' - Ibec

Employers' lobby group Ibec has thrown its support behind the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, describing a Yes vote as essential to economic recovery.

The body, which supported acceptance of the treaty in the last referendum, was speaking ahead of this week's European Council meeting to decide on legal guarantees aimed at addressing Irish concerns on the Lisbon Treaty.

Ibec director of European affairs Brendan Butler said the EU was a "safe harbour" in the recent global economic turmoil.

"An unhelpful question mark hangs over Ireland's relationship with the EU. An agreement by EU leaders this week is a vital first step towards taking that question mark away. The confusion created by last year's rejection of the Lisbon Treaty should be of profound concern to anyone who wishes to see Ireland have a strong place in Europe and the world," he said.

"The scale of the global economic crisis has highlighted our vulnerability and the need for a strong Europe so we can together face shared challenges. It is vital we now focus on restoring our reputation abroad and reviving the economy."

The Irish economy was viewed as "particularly exposed" and EU membership was "a defining strength", Mr Butler said. "A positive outcome in a new referendum is an important step towards rebuilding our reputation and putting us firmly on the road to economic recovery."

According to Ibec, more than 400 people lost their jobs each day in May, with Ireland's international reputation taking a particular hit from other issues such as the banking situation and the child abuse scandal.

Recent figures from the Central Statistics Office showed the number of people signing on the Live Register rose by 13,500 to more than 400,000 in May.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has spoken to key EU leaders in recent days in an effort to get an agreement that will allow the second Lisbon referendum to be held in late September or early October.