The Irish heads of 11 multinational companies based in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in Dublin have united to call for a Yes vote in the Nice referendum.
The 11, whose companies employ more than 1,900 people in the IFSC, said they were appealing for a Yes vote, in a personal capacity, to protect Irish jobs and preserve the 12.5 per cent corporation tax rate.
Enlargement and access to new markets was "essential to underpinning Irish jobs", a statement from the group said. More than 11,000 jobs had been created in the IFSC since 1987 and these were linked to "full involvement in Europe", the statement said.
The result of the referendum would have an impact on the State's ability to retain the right to set its own tax rate, it said.
"A Yes vote to Nice will protect our 12.5 per cent tax rate that is critical for IFSC businesses and jobs. A No Vote could lead to this issue being reopened at European level."
The 11 business people involved in the group are: Mr William Slattery, Deutsche International (Ireland) Ltd; Mr Dermot Cahillane, DePfa Bank Europe plc; Ian Letchford, CIBC; Mr Werner Schwanberg, Dresdner Bank (Ireland) plc; Mr Peter O'Dwyer, Gensec, Victor Holmes, Barings (Ireland) Ltd; Mr Gerry Brady, Bank of Bermuda; Ms Joan Kehoe, PFPC International; Mr Brian Collins, Bank of Ireland Securities Services Ltd; Mr Walter Brassil, international Financial Services Ltd; Mr Eamon O'Brien, Aon Insurance Managers, Dublin.
They said Ireland was perceived as a country which was committed to Europe and had "punched above its weight" in exercising influence in the EU's institutions.
"A No vote will damage that perception an will damage future prospects for attracting further investmernt and employment.
A Yes vote will underpin existing investment and provide a foundation for further investment."
Islanders off the Mayo coast will be the first to vote in the referendum. Residents on Clare Island, Inishturk and Inishbiggle will go to the polls on Thursday - three days ahead of the rest of the State.
