Rejection of the Nice Treaty would be "disastrous" for the Irish high-tech sector, which last year accounted for one-third of all Irish exports, according to some of the sector's leading entrepreneurs.
Mr Chris Horn, chairman of Iona Technologies and a member of ICT Ireland, the IBEC body which represents the high-tech sector, said the challenge was to use the expansion of the EU to be a "voice for smaller countries in Europe".
The Republic is the largest exporter of software in the world with much of this being due to indigenous companies such as Iona. Despite the difficult economic conditions globally, exports by the sector last year grew by 28 per cent to €1.3 billion.
"An enlarged market offers tremendous potential for Irish entrepreneurs," said Mr Seán Melly, founder and chief executive of the e-Tel group, which employs more than 400 people in applicant countries. "My experience on the ground in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia confirms that a Yes vote will create a mutually beneficial situation and open up further opportunities for Irish businesses."
The Institute of Directors in Ireland also called yesterday for a Yes vote and urged its members to highlight the benefits which it said a positive vote would bring. The institute represents 1,100 directors and senior executives.
