Professor Jonathan Faull:

Democracy in action.

Several members asked how much of an incentive the welfare system is and to what extent welfare systems create a pull factor. It is hard to determine precisely what causes individuals to move in search of work or to take up a job offer from one country to another. The availability of work is obviously important. Our shared language must play a role too because we speak the language which most other Europeans today learn as a second language or want to improve their proficiency in. We have wonderful weather in our countries and so forth. There are many factors which go into the decision to emigrate, which is not an easy one. Ireland knows very well how much turmoil and upheaval emigration can cause. For people to take that step, the question is to what extent does the welfare system in the host country play a role. There are some data on it. The British Government has put forward some data on this too. For us, it is simply a matter of fact that this is what the British Government wants to discuss. Therefore, we are discussing it. All other European Union member states have to proceed on that basis. This is what Mr. Cameron has said he wants to change and what the other European Union leaders, collectively, have to decide is acceptable. It is also complicated by the fact that the British welfare system, domestically, is undergoing a process of reform. We are not quite sure precisely what the criteria would be to whom a particular measure would apply.