Fiona O'Malley (Dún Laoghaire, Progressive Democrats)

In the few minutes available to me, I would like to respond directly to the Technical Group's motion and to discuss the wider issue of work permits, which was raised recently by the Labour Party. I agree with the section of the Opposition motion which states that services are crucial to the European Internal Market because they account for between 60% and 70% of economic activity in the European Union of 25 member states. I support the proposition that we need to promote social solidarity as a core value among EU citizens. For that reason, the Labour Party's call for the Government to roll back on its decision to give all the citizens of the EU of 25 member states equality of status as Europeans is thoroughly offensive.

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