A Europe that works better 

Ireland's European referendum campaigns have always been viewed through the prism of 'what's in it for us?'. The votes on the Nice Referendum changed all of that. Suddenly, we were making a decision that not only affected us here in Ireland, but also the lives of 75 million others in post-communist Eastern Europe who wanted the chance of a better life through European membership.

Our response to the first Nice referendum was lacklustre; we fought amongst ourselves on issues that had nothing to do with Nice. At the second attempt, we came to our senses and realised that this was not just about local Irish politics. Since then, the Nice treaty has not only generated considerable benefits for the accession countries: it has helped Ireland to enlarge its markets and expand its economy at a time when most other developed countries were contracting.

The Lisbon Reform Treaty is not very exciting: there is no cash sweetener and no immediately life-changing proposals. It is, in fact, about efficiency; about the procedures with which the European Union will operate as an entity of 27 members with different cultures, different aspirations, different economies, different styles of government. Ireland is the only European nation whose citizens will vote and so the future progress of our Union of 27 countries and nearly 500 million citizens will again focus on this small corner of north-west Europe.

Those who oppose this Treaty will trot out the same, rather tired, arguments. They will claim that Europe is undemocratic, that the treaty gives too much power to Brussels, that it is a bad deal for Ireland, that it gives the green light to tax harmonisation. These claims are as groundless now as they have been in the past: with regard to corporation tax, for instance, Ireland specifically retains its right to veto any incursions in this direction.

Ultimately, we can see the effect of a 'Yes' vote by looking at our own economy. Do we see our place as being central to the European project, a project that since 1973 has primed the Irish economic pump to the tune of €58 billion, or nearly €15,000 for every man, woman and child? Do we want to continue the prosperity that has seen our incomes, under two-thirds of the EU average at our accession and now 140% of the EU average, continue to grow? Do we want to continue a process, which has contributed to a doubling of the number of people at work, from one million to two million, since our accession? The expansion of the EU to 27 member states and the creation of the single market mean Irish companies have direct access to 460 million customers throughout Europe. Our exports to Europe have doubled in the past 10 years.

DCBA recommends a 'Yes' vote in this referendum. For the European Union to survive and prosper in the long term, the institutions that govern the Union must be reformed to operate efficiently, practically, economically and effectively. If we reject this opportunity to tidy up our systems, the benefits of membership which we take for granted - the single market for business, the European social agenda, the support of poorer regions - cannot not guaranteed.

The Treaty of Lisbon is an ambitious deal; it is a balanced deal; it is a comprehensive deal; it is a durable deal. Just as importantly, it is the only deal that is on the table.

DCBA recommends a 'yes' vote for a Europe that works better.