Lisbon Treaty

"The reasons for voting 'no' are manufactured, on the whole. And if it's 'no' again, I think we have lost ourselves in the modern world."

- Seamus Heaney

"If we hadnt been members of the EU this country would have gone down the tubes already."

- Dr. Ed Walsh, former President of the University of Limerick

"If the Irish vote no, the EU will be plunged into a deeper crisis of confidence. The EU's voice and influence would be diminished in the world."

- Paul Taylor, Reuters

The reality is that our economy is entirely linked with the EU. If uncoupled, we face isolation in trade terms and culturally.

- Rory O’Riordain, CEO of German-owned pharmaceutical company

"European solidarity is essential in the face of the crisis and in support of the hardest hit economies. The adoption of the Lisbon Treaty helps, not hampers that process of solidarity"

- John Monks, General Secretary, European Trade Union Confederation

"An Ireland at the heart of the EU with reformed, strengthened and more accountable institutions is infinitely preferable to becoming a semi-detached obstacle to common progress across a continent."

- Paul Rellis, General Manager, Microsoft Ireland

"The specific guarantees obtained by the Irish government in advance of the second referendum further consolidate Ireland’s position. In relation to taxation, Ireland has nothing to fear from the Lisbon Treaty."

- Jim Ryan, President of the Irish Taxation Institute

"I believe it is vital that every Irish voter on 2nd October next votes in the referendum and votes “Yes to Europe”. Ireland’s membership of the European Union and the Euro has transformed our economy and the lives of millions of Irish people today."

- Michael O'Leary, CEO, Ryanair

“What I do believe in is sending a positive signal to foreign direct investors and to our economic trading partners in the EU that Ireland is committed to being a key player in the world's most successful economic union.”

- Martin Naughton, Chairman and owner of the Glen Dimplex Group

"The re-negotiated Treaty includes a specific guarantee on taxation. This new guarantee is crystal clear in stating that nothing in the Lisbon Treaty makes any change to the EU’s competence with respect to taxation and, in particular, the right of Member States to set their own corporation tax rates."

- Jim Ryan, President of the Irish Taxation Institute

Ratification of the Lisbon Treaty will help Ireland tackle the challenges it currently faces and help to continue our global competitiveness. It will create an improved EU that works better for Irish business; it will provide for a more efficient EU that will lead to enhanced transport system.

- Declan Collier, Chief Executive, Dublin Airport Authority

"I’m not into the politics of Lisbon, I’m apolitical in this discussion. I’m simply outlining the facts from a business perspective, and the facts amount to committing economic suicide for Ireland if we are perceived to be cutting ourselves off from the rest of the EU."

- Jim OHara, General Manager of Intel Ireland

"Employers are enthusiastic supporters of the Lisbon Treaty because we know that being at the heart of the Europe is vital for our success. Each previous treaty has created new opportunities for Irish business and has helped create more jobs. This treaty will do the same."

- Paul Nolan, Group Development Manager, Dawn Meats, Waterford

“Ireland is not just competing with the rest of Europe for jobs and investment. EU countries need to work together to meet challenges from the world’s rising economies such as China, India and Russia. The Lisbon Treaty includes a number of specific provisions to strengthen the EU and enable it to meet these challenges."

- Julie O'Neill, Gilead Sciences General Manager in Ireland

“Ireland’s membership of and participation at the core of the European Union is crucial to rebuilding our economy. It puts Ireland in a positive position to tackle global issues, in particular the economic slowdown and the ongoing banking crisis. This Treaty equips us with more efficient structures that will allow Ireland and Europe to compete effectively.”

- Ian Talbot, Chief Executive, Chambers Ireland