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

I thank Ms Nolan for her presentation. Sometimes I despair because we have seen many of the scenes in recent weeks and months, which are a repeat of what we saw 20 years ago during the war in the Balkans. They may be different people but generally from the same region, all seeking to move to a place of safety. People are on the move all the time. They are coming from war-torn areas where there is repression and fear.

I worry about economic immigrants because I am not so sure about that situation. I do not entirely buy into the arguments made in this regard. I attended a meeting in Luxembourg two weeks ago on the European defence and security issue. Climate change and this issue were discussed at length. Climate change was one of the contributory factors. There was a strong view that people from the candidate countries should be excluded, but I am not too sure about that. They may have another reason for wishing to move and it may not have to do with economic matters. They have been in that war zone for a number of years and know what it is like. They have had recent experience of it and they may not wish to go through what they see coming towards them in one shape or form again given the kind of hardship they are suffering at the present time.

The Chairman is thinking they are subject to the acquis communautaire.