Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I also welcome this legislation on which we are all in agreement. Membership of the EU has been of great benefit to Ireland at every level. We have reflected on the career of the former Taoiseach Charles Haughey over the past few days and considered, in that light, how life in Ireland has changed since the 1960s and in a similar way one can review how Ireland has changed since we joined the EU.

The support we received from our friends and colleagues in the EU has been a major factor in Ireland's economic and social transformation. Ireland is a very good example of a small country that joined the EU poor and disadvantaged in many ways, but took advantage of what investment was available, especially investment in education, infrastructure and agriculture and used it to its advantage. We should be grateful to those who invented the concept of the EU initially and were so generous in extending the hand of support and friendship to us. There is something to be repaid and there is an onus on us to be generous to new entrants to the EU and ensure countries that meet the entry requirements are given full support by the existing member states. This cannot be seen as an elite club.

Following the fall of communism the EU has opened up to and embraced former eastern European states and this has advanced the cause of peace and prosperity, and the world, to a great degree. This has been a great opportunity and I believe it will show itself to have been a success. From Ireland's perspective this means the arrival of migrant workers from eastern Europe. This is a positive development, but one which has happened with considerable speed causing concern in some quarters.

In Roscrea, approximately 20% of the town's population is from eastern Europe, which creates an extraordinary situation. We are all used to meeting such workers on a regular basis, particularly from Poland, but also Latvia, Lithuania and other countries, in shops, on farms, in factories and some people have them come work in their homes. I did a small survey in Nenagh to establish where eastern European workers were working, for the most part. I discovered that what was occurring was not displacement, but rather replacement. Most workers were based in factories which, in some cases, attract an unskilled workforce. In other cases workers with specific skills are needed, such as butchers and glass cutters, though these workers were coming here before the expansion of the EU.

Since 2004 those sectors of the economy that have experienced a labour shortage due to Irish workers moving on have often recruited eastern European workers. Irish workers may move to the computer sector, like Dell in Limerick which draws workers from north Tipperary and Limerick, leaving vacancies in the less skilled and lower paid areas. As a result there are clusters of eastern European workers in the lower paid sectors, which is a cause for concern. Only time will tell how they integrate or whether they do as many Irish did and spend a short period of time abroad to build resources or send resources home. They may come as young workers and then go back when they get married and have children. Otherwise, they may stay and integrate fully. Only time will tell if that will happen. It is an issue which is here to stay as long as our economic prosperity continues. We should recognise that these people are contributing to and are part of our continuing economic prosperity.

We should not fool ourselves on the future of the great European project. We know the problems which have occurred with the failure to get the necessary level of support for the proposed European constitution. Significant lessons should be learned from this, particularly by people like us, who may at some level take support for the European Union for granted because we clearly see what it is. Other people do not.

Many of our citizens do not see for themselves a benefit, and they may see the project as a disadvantage. This may be linked to factors which are not caused by or even directly associated with actions of the European Union. We are all politicians and we know that when people are voting, many factors come into play. There is clearly much work to be done to ensure that the man and woman in the street — to use a cliché — are constantly fully informed on what the European project is about and the associated benefits for them.

The benefits are not just economic, although we have spoken much about them. Other benefits include legal frameworks. It has often been stated in this House that certain rights have been put into Irish law, particularly relating to women, which would not have come about if it had not been for the EU showing the way. It would have overcome resistance which may have naturally been there. That is also to be applauded.

These legal frameworks, the fundamental basis of equal human rights and the European social charter, are not fully seen as the extraordinarily positive and beneficial documents which they are for all the citizens of Europe. For that to be available to a wider population is an action which should be supported and applauded.

Like others, I would have concerns regarding Romania and Bulgaria. The Romanian population has a dreadful reputation across Europe. I remember going to Germany as a student and people would talk of Romanians as if they were dirt. Some people really hated them. That is dreadful to observe. The Romanian Government will have to overcome many such obstacles.

This is indicative of how we must take a long-term view. Participation in the European Union accelerates the process towards a standard to which I hope the Romanian people would aspire. Through participation in the European Union, these people are supported in raising legal, governmental and environmental standards, for example, just as we have had to do ourselves. The support exists to do this, and participation in the European Union allows countries such as Romania to do it. A carrot and stick approach and a balancing act must be properly executed.

I congratulate the Minister of State on his work in this regard and commend him on his commitment to this project. We have shown we have a significant role to play which includes leadership. As we have risen to our current position in the European Union, we have much more to contribute than we had in the past. That is indicative of the possibilities and potential of the European project.