Against Euroscepticism

After the Irish Minister for Europe Dick Roche spoke out in favour of a second referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon - which the country rejected just a few months ago - new debate has broken out on Ireland's attitude to Europe. Mary Frances McKenna, director of the Business Alliance for Europe, criticises in the Irish Times the Euroscepticism prevalent in her country. "There are essentially two paths open to us, finding a way to remain at the centre of the EU, or beginning the lonely road of isolation and irrelevance. ... Euroscepticism is a game in which Ireland can only lose. ... Attempting to exist with limited engagement with the outside world has never worked for any country, and it will not work for Ireland now. Ireland has gained influence in the EU because we have always been part of the emerging consensus. ... And that is ... why Europe, and remaining at the centre of Europe, is the best option for Ireland by a long stretch."

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