Romanians coming here for 'better life'

The Romanian ambassador to Ireland, Silvia Davidoiu Stancu, has welcomed the appointment of a Minister of State with Responsibility for Integration.

She said the development was "very much appreciated", and "much-needed at this particular time when it is not yet too late to deal with new communities in a very efficient manner".

The position of Minister of State for integration policy, to which Conor Lenihan was appointed, was created by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in June.

Speaking in a debate on "Multi-cultural Ireland" at the Humbert school in Ballina yesterday, the ambassador estimated the Romanian presence in Ireland at "30,000 to 40,000".

She said "most didn't come to Ireland to have an easy life. They came to have a better life. They usually come if they have jobs. They do not come to beg on the streets."

She said she has had to deal with some "terrible stories" of illegal Romanian immigrants in Ireland.

Although Romania joined the EU in January, its citizens and those of Bulgaria need work permits to have jobs in Ireland until 2009.

The ambassador said Ireland would not be a target country for most Romanians.

They preferred to go to Italy or Spain where they found it easier to master the language and understood the culture.

She added that her government did not encourage emigration as there was a deficit of workers in her country.