"Foundations of an Ever Closer Union"

Book excerpt: "Marking the fiftieth anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, this publication examines some of the key developments in European integration from an Irish perspective." "The book explores different aspects of Ireland's relationship with the process of European integration, including Ireland's relationship with the six founding members before it joined in 1973, and how European developments formed the backdrop to domestic debates over changing Irish economic policy in the 1950s and 1960s. The increasing importance of the European Union in different policy areas is also analysed, as is the impact the Union has had on the work of ministers and the Oireachtas, and how EU business is managed within government departments. The publication also reflects on the different amendments to the Treaty of Rome, and how Ireland has contributed to the negotiation of new treaties since the 1980s." "With contributions from both practitioners and academics, the book offers a diverse range of perspectives on how European developments have impacted on Ireland, as well as reflections on what Ireland has brought to the European integration project. In these different ways the authors offer interesting new insights into Ireland's involvement in the integration process, and illustrate how Ireland's position within the European Union has matured and entered a new phase of development."--BOOK JACKET.