The Government would be concerned about the emergence of a two-speed Europe, Mr John Dardis (PD), deputy Government leader in the House, said.
He was responding to Mr Feargal Quinn (Ind), who referred to a call by the French President, Mr Jacques Chirac, for a pioneering group to move faster towards integration in the European Union. Noting that the French were about to take over the EU presidency, Mr Quinn said that if we did not pay specific attention over the coming months to such a potential development, we could find ourselves being left behind.
Mr Dardis said: "I would be concerned about it, as I am sure the Government would be concerned with the possibility that there could be a two-speed Europe."