Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Thank you, Chairman. I would like to welcome the two ambassadors and Mr. Rakowski. I have a couple of questions for them. Can Ambassador Höpfner comment on the implications of the whole crisis in relation to Schengen agreement and the open borders? It is often said that his country needs migrants because there is work and the population is ageing. Does he accept that other countries do not have this capacity? Does that impact on his country's response to this or does he feel it is somewhat welcome? As the Chairman said, Germany is unique in this regard, so are there issues for that policy.

Does Ambassador Braccesi have any comments to make on the Schengen Agreement? From the outset of this crisis, Italy has been a front line country so what impact is the crisis having on the Italian economy, including services? What are the views of ordinary Italians about it? What are they saying about the situation?

Mr. Rakowski mentioned the Schengen situation but what do ordinary Polish people think of the crisis? Is there a view that Poland needs to do more or is there an anti-immigrant feeling there?