Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 195: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if it is intended to remove or reform the visa requirements for Romanian citizens seeking entry to Ireland prior to accession date for that country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25141/06]

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 196: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if it is intended to remove or reform the visa requirements for Bulgarian citizens seeking entry to Ireland prior to accession date for that country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25142/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 196 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, on 16 May the EU Enlargement Commissioner, Mr. Ollie Rehn, presented the European Commission's comprehensive monitoring reports to the European Parliament. He announced that the Commission's final recommendation on the dates of accession for Bulgaria and Romania will not be made until this autumn. The Government is currently considering all the issues pertaining to the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU. A decision on the visa requirement for nationals of Bulgaria and Romania will be made in due course.