Irski Euroskepticizam
Irish Euroskepticism

Author(s): Karin Gilland
Subject(s): International relations/trade, EU-Approach / EU-Accession / EU-Development
Published by: Centar za politološka istraživanja
Summary/Abstract: Membership in the European Union has brought Ireland great economic benefits, as well as other benefits. According to the radical view, Irish independence until 1973 was flawed by its continued economic dependence on Great Britain. The year 2000 marked the beginning of a new relationship between Ireland and the EU. It was the year of the Boston-Berlin debate, followed by the budget row and the Nice referendum in 2001. These events have nuanced the debate on Irish membership. However, public opinion polls have consistently shown high levels of support for the European Union, and the referendum results do not support the idea that Euroscepticism has spread rapidly or at all in Irish public opinion. Whenever faced with key decisions, political parties such as Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats, whose leaders have made statements and taken positions that could be characterised as Eurosceptic, have reverted to their standard pro-European position.

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