aphrodisiac: Oh, I understand that very well. How do you think Ireland is going to approach that problem ?
Change the law regarding welfare, only foreign nationals who have worked here for five years can claim it.
aphrodisiac: It is obvious that Ireland did not expect mass immigration from Eastern European countries.
Here are some of the lies,
"It is a disgraceful xenophobic myth that there will be a threat of a flood of migrant workers coming to Ireland. A wilful effort has been made by the National Platform and the No to Nice Campaign organisation to raise the spectre of a wave of immigrants coming to our shores. This is the worst and most unworthy objection I have heard to the Nice treaty; it is most "un-Irish" and speaks volumes about the level at which some are willing to conduct political debate. It is a shameful and distasteful piece of propaganda.
Xenophobic fears have been raised before. When Ireland was joining the EEC in 1973, the same National Platform warned of foreign skilled workers taking Irish jobs. False fears of mass movements of people at the time of previous enlargements were also raised, but, as we know from the Spanish and Portuguese enlargement, these fears did not materialise. There is no credible reason to believe enlargement will be accompanied by large movements of people. All the evidence points in the opposite direction".
Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (Mr. Roche); 12th September 2002
There is no reason to believe... that large numbers of workers will wish to come"
[Minister for Europe Dick Roche, I.T. Letters, 12/7/2002].
"Ireland will be in precisely the same position as all other member states on the question of free movement following any enlargement of the Community".
[Dick Roche, as reported in the Irish Times, September 2002].
"It is the view of the Irish Government and a number of other governments that this idea that there is going to be a huge influx of immigrants is just not supported. The evidence is just not there for it. They are not going to flood to the west. The same rules are going to apply in all 15 states. There is no evidence to suggest that the people of the Czech Republic or Poland are less anxious to stay in their home as we are.
[Dick Roche, transcript of interview with The Irish Catholic, 19/9/2002].
"It is a deliberate misrepresentation to suggest that tens of thousands will suddenly descend en masse on Ireland."
[Proinsias De Rossa, I.T. Letters, 28/8/2002].
"I estimate that fewer than 2,000 will choose our distant shores each year".
[P. De Rossa, I. T. Letters, 20/8/2002].
"There is no evidence there would be a problem with free movement of workers on accession".. (Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Dail Eireann, 10/9/2002].
"Efforts have been made to foment fears that migrants from the new member states could flock to Ireland. This is not only unpleasant but plainly wrong."
[Brian Cowen, Sunday Business Post, 7/7/2000].
"Ireland is already benefiting from the skills and energy of workers from the applicant states, about 7,000 of whom received work permits last year. There is no basis whatever for expecting a huge upsurge in these numbers."
[Brian Cowen, Sunday Business Post, 7/7/2000].
"The second myth is that the Nice Treaty will mean mass immigration from the new EU member countries in Eastern Europe. This is probably the most odious of the myths propagated by some in the "No" campaign."
[Minister Willie O'Dea, Sunday Independent, Summer 2002].
Oh and here's another little nugget:
'Last week, ICTU general secretary Mr David Beggs said central and eastern European workers wanted to work in Germany and Austria, and not in Ireland.'
Irish Times 7 August 2002
aphrodisiac: In my humble opinion, there is everything wrong with it, especially when it is used as a political tool to get rid of the guest workers. You might need them later on, but it is not going to push them away, if they need to make a buck.
There is nothing wrong with nationalism, I am Irish, I am concerned about the welfare of my fellow Irish compatriots. The Irish states only responsibility is to look after its citizens. Guest workers are just that guests. When the work dries up they should be encouraged to go home.
aphrodisiac: What was? Guest workers or immigration? Isn't Irish population declining ?
Ireland has the highest birth rate in europe(2.1:1), we dont need immigration. We have a healthy birth rate. On the contrary, Poland has one of the lowest in europe and needs emigration like a hole in the head. To plug a hole in the gap, Poland will need to import vast amounts of foreigners.
Now, more pressing issues are at hand. The Dubs are playing, I am off to the pub. Come on the Dubs!
|
top of page