CONOR O'BRIEN,
Sir, - In recent weeks Proinsias de Rossa, MEP, has made a number of ill-tempered contributions to the debate on the Treaty of Nice. He seems to be particularly exercised by any suggestion of large-scale economic migration to Ireland from Eastern Europe.
Mr de Rossa contrives to ignore the fact that following EU enlargement 11 of the existing 15 states have declared that they will invoke an EU provision which will preclude immigration from the new member-states for a transition period of up to seven years.
Apart from Ireland, only the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden have indicated that they are willing to accept immigrants from new EU states from their date of accession. Latest indications suggest that these three countries are now reviewing their position.
The issue therefore is not one of immigration per se but of a self-inflicted inequality which could have serious economic and social consequences for this country, particularly if Ireland were to have the only open door after the accession of ten new EU countries in 2004.
Dick Roche, TD, and Minister of State for European Affairs (July 12th), has similar difficulty with any mention of that seven-year transition period which he prefers to describe as a period of two years, plus three years, plus two years. Well it is good to have that one cleared up.
Mr Roche goes on to declare that following the admission to the EU of Spain, Portugal and Greece the levels of migration which were expected by some did not in fact materialise. He must surely be aware that a comparison between the accession of these three countries and that of a "big bang" enlargement in Eastern Europe is quite absurd. In adducing a comparison he did not need to look beyond the accession of the former East Germany, although it is easy to understand why this particular comparison would not suit him.
Migration is a highly sensitive issue demanding a unified approach across the existing 15 member-states.
In advance of EU enlargement the Irish Government has an opportunity to show leadership by insisting that the Council of Ministers reach agreement on whether the 15 doors are to be all open or all closed and for how long. - Yours, etc.,
CONOR O'BRIEN,
Mount Anville Park,
Dublin 14.
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A chara, - Anthony Coughlan has once again been writing to you (August 5th) to oppose the Treaty of Nice.
Given that he has opposed practically every stage of development of the European Union and been wrong in his predictions of doom on each occasion, perhaps he would now be good enough to say whether he is simply opposed to Nice, or if he believes that we should withdraw from the European Union altogether. The rationale of his letter leads one to conclude that he advocates withdrawal.
I would pose a similar question to Sinn Féin, the Greens, Youth Defence and any of the other groups now advocating a No vote. - Is mise,
MALCOLM BYRNE,
Ramsfort Avenue,
Gorey,
Co Wexford.