Ireland and the European Union

"More so than any other previous publication on Ireland and Europe, Laffan and O'Mahony offer an articulate, coherent, comprehensive, analytical yet readable account of the complex relationship between a small state in the throes of rapid modernization and societal change on the one hand and an emerging, evolving multi-level governance entity on the other... [It is] destined to become the classic study of Ireland's most vital relationship for many years to come ... [and] the core text for practically all political and international relations modules at Irish universities... " - Gerard Arthurs, Journal of Contemporary European Research 'This magisterial account of Ireland's experience of accession to and membership of the EU is bound to become required reading within Ireland and well beyond. Moreover, without losing any scholarly integrity, it is written so compellingly and clearly that no one who reads it will ever again be able to explain their vote in a referendum on account of not understanding the EU.' - Elizabeth Meehan, Professor Emerita, Queen's University Belfast, UK 'Combining accessible scholarship with eminent readability this impressive work of scholarship lifts the veil to show just how much is at stake for Ireland in its complex relationship with the European Union.' - Pat Cox, former President of the European Parliament and Winner of the 2004 Charlemagne Prize for Great European Achievement. "STRONG>'Scholarly, yet accessible... a very welcome, valuable and timely contribution... I commend it to anyone who wishes to get a better understanding of the EU and Ireland's relationship with it, past, present and future.' - Brian Cowen, Prime Minister (Taoiseach) of Ireland "[A]n invaluable contribution to the ongoing debate... with great lucidity and authority... Brigid Laffan and Jane O'Mahony provide a welcome opportunity to step back and take the long view... of Ireland's troubled relationship with the EU" - Patrick Smyth, The Irish Times 'This seminal text can play an instrumental role in the development of this new narrative not only in academic and political circles but in the wider public sphere. Following the recent demise of the national forum on Europe, due to public spending cuts, this book's core findings should be disseminated widely.' West European Politics

Ireland's membership of the European Union has coincided with its transformation from a peripheral, poor state into a dynamic economy with a level of wealth in line with the Union's core states. In this major new assessment, Laffan and O'Mahony provide a systematic analysis of the impact of the EU on Ireland and Ireland's impact on the EU.Recent times have witnessed a dramatic turn around in Ireland's fortunes. From being a poor and peripheral state, it has emerged as a prosperous, dynamic and self-assured player among the nations of Europe. 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 rich 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 benefit 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.