EU coordination in Ireland : centralization to master the crisis

Abstract

This article analyzes the management of European Union (EU) business by the Irish core executive. Adaptation to EU business in Ireland has been path-dependent and consisted of gradual incremental adjustment. A system of flexible adaptation generally served Ireland well as the EU’s policy regime expanded and evolved, but in response to the shock rejection of the Nice Treaty by the electorate in 2001, significant formalisation of the Irish system occurred with the establishment of new processes and rules for managing relations between the core executive and the EU. The system of incremental adjustment continued through the 2000s until the severe financial crisis erupted in 2008. Following two years of struggle, Ireland succumbed to a bailout in November 2010. Ireland became a programme country, on watch and under scrutiny. The new Government that took power in February 2011, following a landslide victory, altered the management of EU affairs because being a programme country demanded more of the domestic core executive. EU polities became high politics and the distinction between domestic and EU politics and policy was further eroded.