While there is no evidence that Ireland will have a problem with free movement of workers on accession, it will have the same freedom as other member states to take measures to protect the labour market, should a problem arise. The agreement reached in June last year between the existing member states, including Ireland, and the applicant countries provides that member states will continue to apply their own national policies on free movement of workers to the citizens of new member states for a period of two years after accession. In Ireland our policy will be determined by the conditions in our own domestic labour market. After the first two years of enlargement Ireland, like other member states, will have the option of continuing to apply its existing national measures for a further three years. National measures may be applied for a further two years after that, with the approval of the Council of Ministers. The myth which has been perpetuated in recent times that member states have achieved a seven year opt-out is completely false. The myth that Ireland is not in line with the other 14 member states is equally false.