Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I might add a couple of questions at this point.

Does Mr. Magyarics think the changes that have taken place or have been proposed, and in respect of which the European Commission has expressed concerns, would leave his country in a position in which it would still comply with the acquis communitairethat applies to every country before membership of the EU can be obtained?
A number of European countries, including this country, have had severe economic difficulties recently. While there would be a debate within political parties about the cause of that, there is a general recognition within Europe that membership of the EU is based on the need for a general common thrust of legislation and the application of the rule of law. In the absence of those things, there is a tendency to go outside the rule of law. The comparisons that have been made with the United States would not necessarily be regarded as relevant in this context. There are many things that apply in the US that would not be acceptable in Europe. I am sure there are things that apply in Europe that are not accepted in the US. The right to bear arms, for example, is a fundamental issue for people in some parts of the US. The EU would not readily concur with that position.
How many homeless people are there in Hungary? How many of them are members of the Roma community? Why did the blacklisting of certain non-governmental agencies, and the blocking of international aid provided through those agencies, happen? On what basis did it happen? The Charter of Fundamental Rights that was drawn up by the EU applies to all member states. It is not justiciable in all cases, but it is certainly there as a headline and as a basis from which to work. Is it accepted within Hungary and the EU that the charter is being complied with in Hungary at present?