Sir, – Sinéad O’Sullivan’s article on Europe’s changing future raises an important question for Ireland: how do we avoid becoming more peripheral in an expanding European Union (“Europe is entering a new phase. Ireland may lose out”, Opinion, September 16th)?
One possibility is that we are looking at the map the wrong way. If Canada were to develop an associate status or deeper institutional relationship with the EU, Ireland’s position would be transformed.
For decades we have viewed ourselves as the union’s western edge, sometimes closer to Boston than Berlin. After Brexit that perception became even stronger.
A more Atlantic-focused Europe would place Ireland at the centre of a corridor linking North America and Europe. Rather than being distant from Brussels, we would sit at the natural junction between the EU and one of its closest democratic and economic partners. Ireland already enjoys strong cultural, educational and business links with Canada.
RM Block
Closer EU-Canada integration could strengthen our role in trade, research, aviation, digital infrastructure and investment. Just as previous enlargements shifted Europe’s centre of gravity eastwards, a deeper transatlantic partnership could shift it westwards.
Ireland should therefore see a closer EU-Canada relationship not as a curiosity, nor as something to be feared, but as an opportunity: one in which Ireland would no longer stand on Europe’s fringe, but at its heart. – Yours, etc,
OWEN HENNELLY,
Shrule,
Co Mayo.
