Seanad debates

Thursday, 6 November 2003

European Communities (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage.

 

I have spoken to many members of the delegations that have visited the Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs. They expressed the same fears we have expressed in the past two years over whether their identity would be diluted or their sovereignty diminished. We had concerns that jobs might be at stake if there were a flow of people into this country and that the loss of our currency would in some way undermine our Irishness. We informed the accession countries that they would have to deal with these issues. Yesterday a delegation from Hungary also expressed those fears. While there was a huge endorsement in the referendum on accession, there was a very low turnout. The Hungarians will experience the same problems we did. We are delighted to be able to help them and show them Ireland's success since becoming a member of the European Union.

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