Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, today published a new survey which found that Brexit has failed to dint business’ support for Ireland’s EU membership.

The survey was published in advance of the group launching its priorities for the Future of Europe at an event in Ibec’s head office today with Minister of State for European Affairs Helen McEntee.

The Ibec paper says Ireland's economic fortunes demand an outward-looking EU that is focused on ongoing positive reform, but it said tax and labour market policies must remain a matter for individual member states.

Over nine out of ten (96%) respondents stated that membership has been important (84% - very important, 12% - important). Respondents were also very positive on the importance of future membership of the EU for the Irish economy in general, with 94% indicating that EU membership will be important in the next five to 10 years (80% - very important, 14% - important).

Respondents were very positive about membership of the EU for their business, with almost nine out of ten (89%) respondents stating that membership of the EU has been important (58% - very important, 31% - important).

Respondents also saw the importance of EU membership for the future. Some nine out of ten (90%) respondents believed that membership of the EU will be important for their business in the next five to ten years (65% - very important, 25% - important).

Commenting on the research, Ibec CEO, Danny McCoy said, "The EU remains a model of global success. Now is not the time for any dramatic change in direction. We need more cooperation in areas where there is a clear collective benefit. This includes completing the single market, digitalisation and global trade. However, in areas such as taxation, labour market and social policy, individual governments are best-placed to tailor policy to domestic needs."

Source: www.businessworld.ie