Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I wish the Taoiseach a very sincere welcome to the House. We very much respect the fact that he is briefing us. I have studied the documentation provided. It outlines a very comprehensive programme for the six months of the Presidency. With ten accession countries joining on 1 May, this is an historic time for this country and for the European Union. We will celebrate that nationally on the Day of Welcomes.

The points I wish to elaborate on regarding the basis of the document I have read will be constructive. They have been raised in the House before. Agriculture and food safety are issues the Taoiseach should address during the six months of the Presidency. They have come sharply into focus recently with concerns about the avian flu among chickens in Thailand which has spread throughout Asia. The issue percolates to Europe in the extremely important issue of food safety. While countries have the right to export product to this country, consumers also have rights. The consumer is entitled to know if a poultry product comes from Thailand or if a beef product comes from Brazil. The consumer should have freedom of choice.

We have very strict hygiene and quality standards for processors involved in poultry production and other areas. In light of those high standards, it is not acceptable for an Asian country to export product to this country which with further packaging is described as originating in the Netherlands or France. That is an exercise in the deception of the consumer. In the context of food safety, I would like to see the introduction of proper labelling of all European products. It should be considered and I encourage the Taoiseach to speak to the Minister for Agriculture and Food about the matter.

We have focused in our minds on immigration and asylum seekers to a great extent in recent times. I wish to speak about an element of immigration which is very important to this country. On 1 May, citizens of the ten accession countries will have the right to come here and work. That is important. Obviously, they will bring certain skills with them. Equally important is an issue of which the Leader of the House is very aware as I have raised it many times. A barrier has existed for nurses from the Philippines and other countries outside the European zone whose husbands have not had the right to work here. The matter is being examined by the Tánaiste. It is an economic disadvantage to many of those who come here to provide skills of which we have shortages like those which exist in the medical profession and nursing. We should provide every incentive possible when issuing work permits to avoid seeing these people travel instead to the North of Ireland to receive a permit there. While the issue is being addressed in respect of nurses, I would extend consideration of it to other areas in which skills shortages exist. We should be sympathetic to the rights of the partner of a work permit holder.

I hope the constitutional treaty issue is resolved during Ireland's Presidency. I acknowledge those who participated in the Praesidium, particularly former Taoiseach Deputy John Bruton for his tremendous work.