The European Dimension Flashcards

Question

What was the EU's influence on Ireland's environmental politics ?

Answer 1

The EU ban on turf-cutting in Ireland sparked controversy, especially in rural areas. - Ireland's failure to implement this ban led to infringement proceedings by the European Commission in 2011. - Irish government's response included consultation, compensation, and a peatlands management strategy, but local opposition persisted. (Murphy and O’Brennan, 2023)

Answer 2

Ireland aimed to be among the first eurozone members, requiring adherence to convergence criteria and prudent fiscal management. - Low inflation was prioritized, necessitating limits on public spending. - Coordination of macroeconomic policy at the EU level became crucial post the introduction of the euro. - EU's Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) aimed at ensuring sound public finances and fiscal policies, further constraining Irish macroeconomic policy. (Murphy and O’Brennan, 2023)

Answer 3

EU Governance and Irish Institutions: Irish governance features a strong executive, weak parliament, and effective public administration. - Management of EU obligations primarily centralized in key government departments. - The Irish Permanent Representation in Brussels plays a crucial role in EU policymaking and negotiations. (Murphy and O’Brennan, 2023)

Answer 4

1. Brexit's Economic Impact on Ireland: Before Brexit, the UK was a significant trading partner for Ireland, accounting for approximately 11% of its overall goods exports in 2021. Brexit led to increased regulatory checks and customs controls on goods moving between Ireland and Britain, resulting in a decline in trade between the two countries. Irish exporters faced challenges due to the complexity of using the UK land bridge, leading some to diversify away from the British market. There was a marked reduction in total Irish imports from Britain post-Brexit, particularly affecting the food and beverages sector. (Murphy and O’Brennan, 2023)

Answer 5

2. Brexit's Political Implications for Ireland: The shared EU membership between Britain and Ireland facilitated cooperation and dialogue, particularly regarding the conflict in Northern Ireland. Brexit threatened the open border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, crucial for the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement's all-island dimension. The UK's decision to pursue a hard form of Brexit complicated efforts to maintain an open border, leading to prolonged UK-EU withdrawal negotiations and the introduction of the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol. The introduction of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill by the British government strained British-Irish relations, challenging the trust built during the Northern Ireland peace process. (Murphy and O’Brennan, 2023)

Answer 6

3. Ireland's Response to Brexit: Ireland sought to strengthen bilateral relations with other EU member states post-Brexit, particularly with France and Germany, to protect its interests within the EU. Membership in the "New Hanseatic League" signaled Ireland's intent to play a more active role in European integration politics. (Murphy and O’Brennan, 2023)

Answer 7

4. Security and Defense Policy Challenges: Despite Ireland's longstanding neutrality, there are debates about deepening cooperation in EU defense and security policy. The EU's response to security crises has been criticized for being slow and deliberative, highlighting the gap between EU capacities and expectations. The Russian invasion of Ukraine prompted significant changes in defense policies among EU member states, including increased national defense spending and shifts in NATO membership positions. (Murphy and O’Brennan, 2023)

Answer 8

5. Ireland's Defense Preparedness: The Russian naval exercises near Irish waters revealed weaknesses in Ireland's defense capabilities, including naval vessels and manpower shortages. In response, the Irish government announced a substantial increase in defense spending, influenced by the changing European security landscape post-Ukraine invasion. (Murphy and O’Brennan, 2023)

Answer 9

6. Ireland-China Relations: Ireland-China relations have primarily evolved through increased trade over the past 25 years, with significant growth in exports and the establishment of Chinese companies in Ireland. EU policies towards China, particularly regarding human rights concerns, influence Ireland's approach to Beijing. Criticisms have been raised regarding Ireland's reluctance to condemn China's human rights abuses, potentially prioritizing economic interests over international human rights norms. (Murphy and O’Brennan, 2023)

Answer 10

Signed in 1972, this marked a pivotal moment for Ireland, embedding the country in a transnational polity and transforming sovereignty through voluntary constraint within an agreed institutional framework. (Laffan, 2021)

Answer 11

Ireland's decision to join the EU was influenced by geopolitics, political economy, state identity, and the EU's appeal to European states. (Laffan, 2021)

Answer 12

Geopolitical strategy is crucial for small states like Ireland due to vulnerability. Ireland's openness to the world economy, illustrated by exports amounting to 121.6% of GDP in 2016, highlights its status as a small open economy. EU membership provided Ireland with a crucial anchor for economic development, transforming its economic trajectory and offering opportunities for growth, particularly through initiatives like Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and the European Social Fund (ESF). (Laffan, 2021)

Answer 13

While EU membership facilitated economic modernization, Irish per capita incomes didn't converge with EU core countries in the immediate aftermath of accession. The 1980s posed challenges for Ireland's economy, requiring adjustments to cope with increased competitiveness, which was addressed through strategies like social partnership. (Laffan, 2021)

Answer 14

The 1992 Single Market program led to increased US investment in Ireland, fostering economic growth and job creation, ultimately leading to convergence with EU income levels. (Laffan, 2021)

Answer 15

The 2008 financial crisis transformed Ireland from a model EU member state to one facing economic turmoil, necessitating a bailout and leading to significant political and economic consequences. (Laffan, 2021)

Answer 16

EU membership altered Ireland's geopolitical position, providing an opportunity to lessen economic dependence on the UK and contributing to peace-building efforts in Northern Ireland. (Laffan, 2021)

Answer 17

Brexit has disrupted the bilateral relationship between Ireland and the UK, posing economic, political, and social challenges that Ireland must navigate while reaffirming its commitment to EU membership. (Laffan, 2021)

Answer 18

1. Irish Identity and European Integration: Ireland's willingness to compromise independence for interdependence within the EU reflects a transformation in its state identity, despite historical nationalist sentiments (Coakley, 2013). 2. Early European Policy: Ireland's European policy, shaped by figures like Garret FitzGerald, emphasized cooperation and integration within the EU, distinguishing itself from the UK and Denmark (Halligan, 2000). 3. Strategic Positioning: Ireland strategically positioned itself within the EU by seeking to play a constructive role while differentiating from its colonial past and avoiding the perception of being solely a former colony (O'Brennan, 1975). (Laffan, 2021)

Answer 19

1. Brexit Impact: The Brexit referendum posed challenges to Ireland's geopolitical positioning, prompting it to engage with EU institutions and member states to navigate the uncertainties and risks (Brexit, 2016). 2. Ireland faced challenges within the EU related to economic disparities, refugee crises, and concerns about the rule of law in some member states, which intersected with debates about the future of the EU (EU Challenges, 2017). 3. Repositioning in the EU - Ireland intensified its engagement with EU institutions and member states, positioning itself as a small northern member state and seeking alliances with like-minded states such as the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden (O'Donoghue, 2018). (Laffan, 2021)