Vol. 535 No. 5
70 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the stance being taken by the Government in negotiations for the enlargement of the European Union in relation to the transitional arrangement period for the free movement of workers from the candidate member states; and if the Government is encouraging such free movement of workers in the short-term. [13054/01]
90 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government will be supporting German proposals that citizens from the European Union applicant states not be allowed work in the present European Union zone until seven years after their country's accession to the European Union. [13050/01]
I propose to answer questions 70 and 90 together.
As the Deputies may be aware, the issue of free movement of workers after enlargement is at present under detailed examination at EU level. It would not be possible to predict the final outcome of that examination at this stage. From Ireland's national point of view, we could support full free movement of workers from the date of the accession of new member states. However, we recognise that some existing member states have particular problems with this and are seeking a transitional arrangement with respect to the free movement of workers. Ireland would be sympathetic to achieving a balanced compromise on this matter, which addresses the concerns of certain existing member states while, at the same time, takes into account the legitimate expectations of the candidate states. Hopefully such a compromise would prove acceptable to candidate states and member states alike.
