White Paper: An Impactful EU Presidency Delivering for Ireland, Strengthening Europe
Ireland’s Presidency comes at a time when the EU’s competitiveness is more important than ever. With changing geopolitical pressures, moves towards more protectionist policy approaches are becoming more commonplace. In the face of such moves, Ireland must utilise its Presidency to be strident in its defence of open-market, and free-trade policy approaches. By harnessing the Presidency, with a focus on advancing European competitiveness, Ireland can ensure that the EU enhances its attractiveness as a location for
inward investment, business growth, and innovation.
It has been 13 years since Ireland last held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Much has changed in that timeframe. At this current juncture, Ireland’s position as a core strategic bridge into the EU for US business provides a key platform for the country to showcase the benefits of an open economy, and the importance of the long-standing partnership underpinning the world’s largest trading relationship. The opportunity in this regard is further enhanced given the concurrence between Ireland’s Presidency and the 250 anniversary of the United States.
In advancing competitiveness, Ireland must communicate its own story. As a small, open economy, Ireland has developed a competitive economy on the global stage, which has attracted significant levels of foreign direct investment, fostered an ecosystem which supports collaboration between FDI and domestic business, and promoted the growth of indigenous business. Knowledge diffusion, labour productivity, and high levels of tertiary education attainment have become key tenets of the Irish workforce.
Key Recommendations in AmCham's White Paper, 'An Impactful EU Presidency Delivering for Ireland, Strengthening Europe' centre around:
- Simplification to drive European competitiveness
- Addressing fragmentation
- Tax sovereignty
- Third-party litigation funding
- A well-functioning Single Market
- The Digital Rulebook
- Artifical Intelligence
- Cybersecurity
- The Biotech Act
- The Critical Medicines Act
- The intellectual property environment
- Clinical trials
- Preventative healthcare
- Horizon Europe
- The Savings & Investment Union
- Talent & Skills
Read AmCham's full White Paper, 'An Impactful EU Presidency Delivering for Ireland, Strengthening Europe', here