THE EVIDENCE SAYS ‘STAY IN’

Stick with the EU, says Ronan Dunne

IN just three weeks, British citizens across the UK and Ireland will decide whether or not Britain should remain in the European Union. If you listen to the breadth of voices in the preceding debate, there is one point that is consistently raised: this is without doubt the most important decision the UK has faced in a generation.

I moved to the UK from Ireland in 1987. As an Irishman, running a British business, owned by a Spanish company, I’m personally pro-European. I believe that Europe would be a poorer place without Britain and Britain would be a poorer place without the ability to help lead Europe.

I also think Ireland has greatly benefited from its EU membership. Ireland today is very different to the Ireland I left 30 years ago. Relationships have improved, the economic environment is stronger and there is a growing sense of a greatly maturing society. While a lot of this is down to the great work of our nation, it has also happened within a context set by the European Union.

I believe that the development of the Good Friday Agreement and the broader peace process has been supported by access to the European market and the resulting improvement of economic circumstances for people, both north and south.

The truth is, Britain in Europe is a more attractive investment opportunity for European and international businesses. It is undeniable that being part of the European family promises far greater prosperity for UK industry. That said, I’m not naive enough to think everything is working as it should, and I certainly don’t think it’s for businesses to tell people how to vote.

Instead, my wish is for business leaders to actively contribute to the ‘fact pack’, so there is a properly informed debate on the issues.

It should be the depth of insight and evidence in this fact-pack that helps people draw conclusions and make a final decision.

For my part, I believe there are two key areas where I can offer a view: firstly, in addressing the broader economic benefits and, secondly, by contributing to the specific business case for the UK.

Earlier this year I put my name to a letter published in the London Times alongside hundreds of other business leaders. We said: “Britain will be stronger, safer and better off remaining a member of the EU” — and my primary reason for doing so was the economy.

Britain needs unrestricted access to the European market in order to compete effectively. Without this, we risk serious harm to our economy. The threat to jobs, house prices and welfare cannot be overlooked.

But don’t just take my word for it. This economic assessment is being made by an increasing list of stakeholders including Britain’s previous four prime ministers (of varying political hues), the Bank of England, the IMF, and a healthy coalition of British businesses owners and leaders.

As a UK business leader, I regularly witness the benefits of being part of the free-trade single market. In addition, my business profits greatly from the wealth of talent this country so keenly needs.

To put that in some context, in order to capitalise on the opportunity promised by the digital economy, UK businesses need an additional 2.3 million digitally skilled workers by 2020 — a tough ask of a Britain on the outside.

If Britain were to exit, British business simply wouldn’t get access to the same hi-tech European skills as its competitors. This would put us at a competitive disadvantage and in turn affect thousands of domestic businesses and exporters alike.

Granted, there is still a significant amount of work to do within the EU, not least in further reducing red tape and bureaucracy. But my hope is that the UK will have a guiding influence in that restorative process.

So my view is clear and grounded in the evidence from my motherland, homeland and the business I lead.

But it is for each individual to decide where Britain’s future lies. I hope people take time to understand the issues at play and ensure their vote is registered and voice is heard on what will be a truly landmark day for the Republic of Ireland, Britain, Europe and indeed, the world.