Seanad debates

Thursday, 10 October 2002

Address by President of the European Parliament.

 

Free movement of citizens has not been a problem in the past and I do not suspect that it will become a problem in Ireland. Eastern Europeans have been free to travel here with a passport since the fall of communism. Why should the Government be concerned about this? I do not wish to suggest that it iss not concerned about the people of Ireland, but there is no empirical or factual basis, if one examines the history of the State, to cause us to get wound up about this issue. I do not believe free movement of citizens will become an issue, but if it should come to pass, Ireland will still have the right to ask for an interim measure similar to that demanded by Germany and Austria. The State made a perfectly rational decision and I do not believe it needs to be revisited as it is not causing us any problems.

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