Ireland and the European Union

Abstract:
Recent times have witnessed a dramatic turn around in Ireland’s fortunes. From being a poor and peripheral state, it emerged as a prosperous, dynamic and self-assured player among the nations of Europe.

While the global economic crisis of 2008-09 has hit it hard, for many, the Irish experience provides a model of the potential rewards of European integration. But, just how far are changes in Irish society the result of EU membership? What difference has the EU made to Ireland and, for that matter, Ireland to the EU?

This major new study of Irish-European relations provides a substantial account of Ireland’s membership of the EU and the impact of the EU on the institutions, policy and economy of Ireland.

It will be read with interest by all who want to further understand what Europe means for Ireland and those wanting to learn from Ireland’s experience in a comparative context.

Contents:
1. Becoming a Member State
2. Ireland's EU Experience
3. Managing Europe
4. Parties and Parliament
5. Referendums and Public Opinion
6. Multi-level Governance and Territorial Politics
7. The EU and Irish Public Policy
8. Irish Foreign Policy in the EU
9. British-Irish Relations: The European Dimension
10. Ireland as a Model?
11. Ireland: A Small State in a Large Union

• Primary Source