50 Years in EU Transforms Ireland from UK Satellite to Thriving Globalized Economy
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Ireland's economy was heavily influenced by the UK before joining the EU in 1973, including relying on the British market and having the Irish punt tied to sterling.
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Joining the EU allowed Ireland to take control of its economic destiny and brought new economic perspectives from engagement with other member states.
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Over 50 years in the EU, Ireland has exploited the opportunities of the single market and globalization to transform its standard of living.
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EU membership has opened Irish institutions and society to new ideas and ways of thinking beyond the English-speaking world.
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While the 2008 crash showed rigidity of EU economic policy, Ireland's "economic model" survived and the economy has strongly recovered since.