Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

In the course of the Taoiseach's engagements, did he at any time raise or discuss the continued expansion of NATO into eastern Europe? Does he have concerns about the expansion of a nuclear armed alliance such as NATO across the continent of Europe? Did he outline to those whom he met the Government's opposition to nuclear armaments? Did he avail of the opportunity to explain what Irish neutrality has traditionally stood for and the Irish people's understanding of what it represents? Did he encourage consideration of the importance of addressing defence and security matters through the United Nations as a first course rather than by means of NATO?

During the course of his visit to eastern Europe, was the issue of labour affairs addressed at any time? In particular, was the exploitation of eastern European workers in the more developed economies of western Europe raised with him or did he seek to have the issue addressed with those whom he met? In the context of the inferior pay and conditions to which many workers from eastern Europe are subjected in western European economies through the collaborative efforts of employment agencies and unscrupulous employers, of whom examples exist in this jurisdiction, has the Taoiseach concerns about the Laval case, in which the European Court of Justice has ruled that collective actions by unions to push for equal pay and conditions for migrant and indigenous workers in member states could amount to an obstacle to free movement of services and, therefore, be unlawful? Where does the Government stand in regard to that ruling and what actions have been taken or considered to address this serious development, which clearly has the potential to undermine indigenous agreements negotiated within the respective independent economies within the EU? Issues in that regard were raised in this Chamber in the recent past by several Deputies, including this representative. Does he agree that action to address this ruling is required on an EU basis if we are to restore the position that existed heretofore?

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