Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

The preparedness of Bulgaria and Romania for membership of the European Union has been a major issue on the EU agenda since they signed their treaty of accession in April 2005. Considerable attention has been given to the Commission's efforts in monitoring the two countries' preparations for accession. The matter has been discussed by EU Foreign Ministers on a number of occasions. The most recent discussion took place at this month's meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council, when both countries were commended on the reforms they have undertaken. The Council looks forward to welcoming Bulgaria and Romania into the EU in January 2007.

There has been a particular focus on labour market access in recent months. As Deputies are aware, the Government decided yesterday that Ireland will avail of the transitional labour market access arrangements which are provided for in the EU's accession treaty with Bulgaria and Romania. Therefore, citizens of Bulgaria and Romania will continue to require work permits if they are to take up employment here after the two countries accede to the EU in January of next year. The Government's decision was taken on the basis of careful consideration of the issues involved and following consultations with the social partners. Consultations on this issue have also taken place between the various Departments. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which has responsibility for labour market and work permit issues, has been particularly involved. The Government had extensive contact with other member states to determine their intentions.

Finland, which currently holds the EU Presidency, is the only pre-2004 EU member state to have announced that it will allow unrestricted labour market access for citizens of Bulgaria and Romania from next January. Other member states have indicated they will impose restrictions. A number of key countries have not yet opened their labour markets to the member states which joined the EU in 2004. The British Government, which did not impose any restrictions in 2004, has decided to apply a work permit requirement on this occasion. The British decision was an important consideration in the Government's analysis of the options available to Ireland. When the last EU enlargement took place in 2004, Ireland was one of just three member states not to restrict labour market access for citizens of the acceding states from central and eastern Europe. As a result, many people from those countries have come to work in Ireland over the past two years. Ireland has taken in almost half as many workers from the new member states as the UK, which has a population 15 times greater than the population of Ireland.

The ESRI has pointed out that many people have moved to Ireland at a time of rapid economic growth. The broadly positive impact of that migration to date may not be evident in a more difficult economic climate. We need to continue to monitor the effects of migration on society, for example on our education, health and social security systems. In that context, and in the light of the intentions of its EU partners, the Government's decision to continue to require Bulgarians and Romanians to seek work permits was the prudent and proper course of action to take. It means workers from Bulgaria and Romania will be able to come here when they can fill a genuine labour market need.

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