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Irish Prime Minister launches new book by political scientist

Brian Cowen, Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of the Republic of Ireland, has launched 'Ireland and the European Union' (Palgrave, 2008), a major new book co-authored by Dr Jane O'Mahony, Lecturer in European Politics at the University of Kent.

The launch took place on Monday 8 December at the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin. Dr O'Mahony's co-author, Professor Brigid Laffan of University College Dublin, also attended the event.

'Ireland and the European Union' provides a rich account of Ireland's membership of the EU and the impact of the EU on the institutions, policy and economy of Ireland. The book covers and explores topics such as referendums and public opinion, and Ireland as both a model and 'a small state in a large union'.

The Taioseach said: 'This publication is a very welcome, valuable and timely contribution. It is a scholarly, yet accessible, account of Ireland's experience of accession to, and membership of, the EU. It is worthy of a wide audience. I commend it to anyone who wishes to get a better understanding of the EU and Ireland's relationship with it, past, present and future.'

He also commended the book for the way in which it 'ably demonstrates how our membership of the European Union has greatly enhanced our international standing and our ability to act on the matters of most concern to us on the international stage.'

A full transcript of the Taoiseach's speech is available here.

Contact: mediaoffice@kent.ac.uk

Story published at 12:00pm 16 December 2008