Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House and am delighted to have the opportunity to speak for the Labour Party on this Bill, which I greatly welcome. In particular, I thank the Minister for introducing the Bill in this House. It always is welcome to see Ministers so do, where there often tends to be a more conducive atmosphere for the introduction of amendments and for having a wide-ranging debate. It is not that I anticipate there will be much amendment or opposition to this Bill. Certainly, as Senator White has welcomed the Bill, I believe there is absolute support for it across parties and across the House. Senator White spoke of the immense benefit to Ireland, particularly from the point of view of gender equality, that EEC membership brought.

It is worth remembering the impact of membership of the EU on Irish society as well as the economy when we consider Croatian accession on 1 July this year. It is likely that similar benefits will be felt in Croatia, although a great deal more has been achieved there in terms of equality than would have been the case in this country in the 1970s.

I have personal reasons for welcoming the Bill as I have family connections in Croatia. My grandmother is from Croatia although she described herself as being from Austria-Hungary because, when she was born, there was no Croatia; it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at that time. Her father was a diplomat involved in the service of the empire. There was not a sense of Croatian nationalism then. Senator White also referred to the appalling tragedy of the recent wars in Bosnia and Croatia. There were many causes but one of the causative factors was the poison of an aggressive form of nationalism across Croatia and Serbia. It is interesting to note that at the start of the 20th century that sort of nationalism was less evident. I still have family in Rijecka in Croatia so I am aware how important it is that there is Croatian accession to the EU. Personally, I am sorry accession will not take place under the Irish Presidency. We will just miss out because, as the Minister has outlined, accession will take place on 1 July. He indicated that the accession was negotiated under the previous Irish Presidency so we have a close connection. As the Minister said, we have an excellent relationship with Croatia and long-standing connections. Many Irish people travel to Croatia and there is much tourism interest for Irish people there. That is all of relevance too.

I am delighted we are providing access to Croatian nationals to our labour market. The Minister referred to the likely lack of impact of the measure due to a probable low level of take-up by Croatian nationals of the opportunity to work in Ireland. It might well be that the travel goes the other way and that Irish nationals will travel to Croatia given our current economic situation. I echo the words of Senator Clune, because whether the take-up is low or high, it is a positive development that we are providing access on these open terms. There is immense benefit to be had in society and the economy from having an open attitude to other citizens of the EU coming here to work and to live among us. We have seen some very positive developments in inward migration during the boom years in this country and it is great that so many members of new communities have stayed in this country even since the recession. There is little more to be said. The legislation is welcome and I applaud the policy behind it and the openness of the Government to incorporate access to the Irish labour market for Croatian nationals in the context of Croatian accession to the EU. I very much welcome the fact that Croatia will become a member of the EU on 1 July.