Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

-----but not necessarily as low as that of Bulgaria or Rumania, relative to Ireland.

We need to be flexible in how we approach these issues. The issue of absorption is one that must be resolved and a study must be undertaken by the European Union on its capacity to absorb. This must be done prior to any accession. Politically, it is acceptable for people to make the odd statement to grab headlines but we cannot be seen as a country that is closing doors all over the place.

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