Impact of the European Union on Ireland

The EU has provided Ireland with economic support and also had a cultural effect on Ireland.

Economic Impact

• When Ireland joined the EU in 1973, it was one of the poorest and most peripheral countries in the union. As a result, it received significant economic assistance through EU funds, notably benefiting from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
• Irish farmers received grants under CAP for improving livestock, upgrading machinery, and implementing environmentally friendly practices, such as using set-aside grants for not farming on poor land.
• Beyond agriculture, Ireland benefited from EU Structural Funds and Cohesion Funds, which supported infrastructure projects like motorway construction and the creation of employment opportunities.
• However, the enlargement of the EU, particularly in 2004 and 2007, redirected significant funding towards poorer Eastern European member states, resulting in a decrease in financial support for Ireland.
• Agriculture in new EU member states like Poland and Romania was underdeveloped, leading to increased competition for CAP funding, which reduced the share of grants available to Irish farmers.
• Between 2004 and 2006, approximately €40 billion of EU funds were allocated to support the development of Eastern European countries, significantly reducing Ireland's share of EU financial assistance.
• Despite reduced funding, Ireland has benefited from the increased free movement of labour and capital within the EU, attracting foreign workers and investment, which has supported economic growth, particularly during the Celtic Tiger era.

*The EU funded the creation of the Irish Motorway network *

Cultural Impact

• The enlargement of the EU in 2004 and 2007 led to a significant increase in the free movement of people, resulting in a substantial influx of migrants to Ireland, particularly from Eastern European countries like Poland.
• During the Celtic Tiger era, Ireland saw rapid growth in its immigrant population, with the Polish community growing from 20,000 in 2000 to 120,000 by 2017, significantly shaping Ireland's cultural landscape.
• This migration has created a multicultural society in Ireland, with a diverse range of languages spoken daily, such as Polish, and cultural practices, including Polish mass services in Catholic churches.
• Ethnic food shops and businesses, such as Polish grocery stores, have become common in Ireland, providing products from immigrants' home countries and contributing to the cultural diversity of Irish society.
• The integration of immigrant communities has led to the blending of cultures, with children of mixed heritage often bilingual and participating in both Irish and immigrant cultural activities, such as playing hurling and Gaelic football.
• The inclusion of languages like Polish and Latvian in the Leaving Cert exams reflects the growing cultural diversity within Irish schools, highlighting the integration of immigrant communities into Irish society.

*Polish shops are a common sight around Ireland *