The Nice Treaty meant enlargement of the EU which was of vital importance for Irish business and employers, IBEC told the Joint Committee on European Affairs yesterday.
The employers' organisation submission was the first of many from interests both for and against the treaty expected to be made to the committee in the run-up to the ratification referendum at the end of May.
The chairman, Mr Bernard Durkan TD (FG), said the committee might have to sit a little more often over the next six weeks to hear the submissions. It would be highly remiss if an issue with such broad implications was not debated.
Mr Arthur Forbes, assistant director of European affairs, said IBEC strongly supported the treaty on the grounds that it believed the reforms would facilitate accession for the countries of central and eastern Europe. "For Irish business and employers, enlargement is thus of vital strategic importance."
While the entry of all these countries would clearly serve as a prerequisite for continuing peace and prosperity in Europe, enlarging the single market would also provide further opportunities for Ireland to develop its trading relations.
"In our view, the sooner the candidate countries join the better, as enlargement is a win-win situation for all concerned," he said.
For the candidates, joining the EU would invigorate their economies, give their citizens new job opportunities and increase the prospect of improved living standards.
For Ireland, one of the world's most open economies, trade was the lifeblood, and the prospect of exporting to and investing in new markets in Europe was very significant, Mr Forbes told the committee.
Mr Jim O'Keeffe TD (FG) said he believed very strongly that the treaty should be approved. His real concern was that because of the complexities it was difficult to get the message across to the people.
Senator Brendan Ryan (Ind) said he disagreed with most of what was in the treaty. He was sceptical about the timetable for enlargement.