Ireland join the EEC 13.December.1972

On this day in 1972 Ireland joined the European Economic Community (EEC), now known as the European Union (EU). Having voted overwhelmingly in favour of joining the European Economic Community (EEC) news of Ireland’s entry was warmly greeted in Ireland. Entry to the EEC required a change in the Constitution, and so a referendum was held on 10 May 1972. The Fianna Fáil government and Fine Gael called for a ‘Yes’ vote, while the Labour Party, trade unions and Sinn Féin campaigned for a ‘No’ vote. Turnout in the referendum was 70.9 % and the result was an overwhelming 83.1% result for the ‘Yes’ campaign. In the lead up to the referendum An Taoiseach Jack Lynch commented that ‘the decision which the Irish people will make on 10 May will be recorded either as an unprecedented opportunity which we chose to grasp with incalculable gain, or which we chose to throw away with irreparable loss’. Not everyone supported Ireland’s eventual entry into the EEC and in late December 1972 the Sinn Fein party planned a day of mourning to mark the occasion. While many did not take to such drastic measures there were still apprehensions from almost every section of Irish society about joining the EEC. With the country’s economy dominated by agriculture naturally there were many questions still unanswered about how Irish farmers would fare once Ireland joined the EEC. Following the official signing of papers on 13 December 1972 by President de Valera, a European delegation visited Ireland learning about the Irish economy in depth. They also met with all political parties, as well as farming, commercial and industrial leaders. The official entry to the EEC was fixed for 1 January 1973.

Download Irish Press 14.December.1972 - Jack Lynch & President de Valera sign treaty

Source: www.irishnewsarchives.coom / Irish Press, Thursday, December 14, 1972; Page: 7