Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)

Why was the House treated with such disrespect when this important decision was being taken? The Minister said the social partners were consulted. The Joint Committee on European Affairs wanted to discuss this matter with the Department of the Taoiseach, but no such session took place. The importance of that committee was ignored. A decision was made without any consultation with the other political parties. Does the Minister agree the manner in which the announcement was made was a further example of the downgrading of this House? The announcement was made on the coat-tails of the UK announcement, which was made yesterday morning. When the UK authorities jumped, we jumped after them in the absence of any consultation with the other political parties. The Minister mentioned that an impact study has been conducted on our social services. To what extent has a study taken place of the impact on our hospital and educational services of the influx of workers from the accession states that followed the last round of EU enlargement?

I congratulate Bulgaria and Romania on their forthcoming membership of the EU. Their Governments now have the hard job of explaining to the populations of those countries the reasons they are being excluded in this way. I support the Government's decision, in principle. There should have been some consultation, at least, with the partners which matter most in this country's political structures, including this House.

See this speech in context