'This book is greatly to be welcomed both as a source of information and for its potential to encourage debate over the interpretation of its findings. It is the only comprehensive guide to the economic, social and political dimensions of Northern Ireland in the European Union. Its nearest rival - though equally welcome in its day - covers less ground and is now very out of date. In addition to filling a lacuna in the literature, the books' individual chapters provide food for thought over judgements about the extent of the EU's impact on agriculture, trade, the economy and the political conflict. It also shows the complexity involved in interpreting public opinion on what the EU's impact should be. The book invites reflection upon why some sectors (social and environmental policies) and different parts of a single sector (agriculture) seem to show more impact than others. The intriguing feature of the chapter on the environment is the possibility that the area where the EU may have had its biggest effect is also one where that impact is least noticed by the public. Yet, in a further twist to the tale, it is likely that there would be popular approval of the EU's role in this sphere. The book will be essential reading for all social science students of Northern Irish affairs and will make a valuable contribution to the burgeoning literature on regions in Europe and their comparative performance.' - Elizabeth Meehan, Professor of Politics, Queens University, Belfast
