The Europeanization of Party Politics in Ireland, North and South

Ireland’s relationship with the European Union has been determined by the behaviour, actions and discourse of political parties. This book examines this impact through an in-depth analysis of the Europeanization of party politics in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

First, it presents original research on cross-cutting issues that have featured in political debates about European integration, including referendum campaigns on EU treaties, Irish neutrality and party policy positions on the EU. Secondly, it is the first book of its kind to examine in detail how each of the main parties on the island of Ireland has adapted to EU membership. In doing so it both tests the thesis of ‘Europeanization’ and deepens understanding of the impact that EU membership can have on national and sub-national party politics.

What this study reveals is that, while Europeanization is clearly evident in all parties in Ireland, including those most critical of European integration, its influence has been strictly curtailed. We argue that the effects of Europeanization in Irish party politics have been limited by enduring resistance to – and conditions placed upon – EU influence in particular policy areas, the importance of pragmatism and (sub-)national priorities in shaping parties’ approaches to European integration and the fact that engagement with the EU continues to be a predominantly elite-led process.

This book was published as a special issue of Irish Political Studies.

Contents:
1. Introduction: Party Politics and the EU in Ireland, North and South - Mary C. Murphy (University College Cork) and Katy Hayward (Queen’s University Belfast)
2. Ireland's EU referendum experience - Jane O'Mahony (University of Kent at Canterbury)
3. Irish Political Parties and Policy Stances on European Integration - Kenneth Benoit (Trinity College Dublin)
4. Irish Political Parties’ Attitudes towards Neutrality and the Evolution of the EU’s Foreign, Security and Defence Policies - Karen Devine (Dublin City University)
5. Fianna Fáil: Tenacious Localism, Tenuous Europeanism - Katy Hayward (Queen’s University Belfast) and Jonathan Fallon (EPS Consulting)
6. Blissful Union? Fine Gael and the European Union - Theresa Reidy (University College Cork)
7. The Irish Labour Party: The Advantages, Disadvantages and Irrelevance of Europeanization? - Michael Holmes (Liverpool Hope University)
8. The Irish Green Party and Europe: An Unhappy Marriage? - Nicole Bolleyer (University of Exeter) and Diana Panke (University College Dublin)
9. Sinn Féin’s Approach to the EU: Still more ‘Critical’ than ‘Engaged’? - Agnès Maillot (Dublin City University)
10. ‘Battling in Brussels’: The DUP and the European Union - Gladys Ganiel (Irish School of Ecumenics, Trinity College Dublin)
11. Pragmatic Politics: The Ulster Unionist Party and the European Union - Mary C. Murphy (University College Cork)
12. The SDLP and the Europeanization of the Northern Ireland Problem - P. J. McLoughlin (Queen’s University Belfast)