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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Feb 2003

Vol. 560 No. 3

Written Answers. - EU Treaties.

David Stanton

Question:

242 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the situation with regard to the movement of people from the accession countries to Ireland; the timescales involved before free movement of labour will be allowed; when he expects the accession to the European Union to be completed for each country concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2294/03]

Accession negotiations with ten candidate countries were successfully concluded at the Copenhagen European Council on 12-13 December 2002. The accession treaty, which is in the process of being finalised, will be submitted for assent to the European Parliament and then signed at head of state and Government level in Athens on 16 April. It will then fall to be ratified by the member states and by the acceding countries. Accession to the Union is scheduled to take place on 1 May 2004 during the Irish Presidency.

Upon membership the citizens of these countries will, subject to temporary provisions on the free movement of labour, have the same rights to free movement as the citizens of the present member states. With regard to the free movement of labour, the treaty of accession provides that member states shall apply national measures to workers from the new member states, except Malta and Cyprus, for the first two years after accession and for the possibility to extend these measures under certain circumstances for a further period not exceeding a maximum of an additional five years. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is responsible for the movement of workers to Ireland including the application of relevant national measures.

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