Enlargement will result in a significantly expanded Single Market of over 500 million people and will make the EU the most attractive location for trade and investment. Enlargement is predicted to further increase the pool of foreign investment from which Ireland has already benefited. Since its membership began Ireland has acted as a gateway to the European Union market for many multinational corporations and other overseas investors, especially from the United States. An enlarged Union will only serve to enhance this role further while at the same time enhancing Ireland's role within the Union and throughout the world.