Sir, - The Nice Treaty will pave the way for the enlargement of the European Union from 15 to as many as 27 member-states. Irish people have nothing to fear from this. In fact, the opposite is the case.
As an exporting country, we have benefited tremendously from our membership of the EU over the past 28 years. We have been able to export our goods and services to a marketplace of over 370 million people without having to pay any special import taxes.
The European Union is set to grow in size to include 550 million people. Irish businesses must use this opportunity to open up new markets in Eastern and Central Europe for our goods and services. In 1999 alone, Irish companies carried out over £600 million worth of business in Eastern and Central Europe. Enlargement of the EU will put us in a very strong position to increase our market share for goods and services in these countries.
The Nice Treaty is a balanced agreement which protects the concerns of smaller member states within the European Union. It is in our interest to remain as a central and active player in the EU. That is why I would urge all voters to fully support the Nice Treaty. - Yours, etc.,
Brian Crowley MEP, Bandon, Co Cork.