DICK ROCHE TD,
Sir, - Mr Frank Barr (August 19th) makes reference to a survey by the Hungarian polling agency, Tarki, on migration patterns. Mr Barr would appear to be unaware of the details of the Tarki survey and, indeed, of a response which the agency itself published as a result of The Irish Times report of August 13th.
The Tarki survey indicated preferred migration patterns amongst those surveyed. The most significant aspect of the survey is that none of those responding to the Hungarian survey indicated that Ireland was a target country for migration.
To quote from Tarki itself, "in the 2001 sample there was a question about possible target countries of Hungarian work force. In the total sample there were no respondents preferring Ireland as a potential place to go." The survey, therefore, can certainly not be taken as substantiating the view that Ireland would be flooded with migrant workers from Hungary after the enlargement of the European Union. In this regard the survey is consistent with all of the other available data.
Mr Barr also repeats the line propagated by the No to Nice campaign that "only four countries are to permit immigration after enlargement". This statement grossly misrepresents the position of the other member-states.
For the record the position is as follows: Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, Finland, France, Greece, the United Kingdom and Italy have not formally finalised their positions with regard to the free movement issue.
Germany and Austria have indicated that they may seek derogation. The extent or the terms of the derogation is not clear. Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands have adopted the same position as Ireland.
Perhaps the most important point, and a fact that the No to Nice campaign have continuously sought to avoid, is that it has been raising wholly unwarranted fears about policies which are still subject to final determination. It is only when these negotiations are completed that the individual arrangements for each of the 15 member-states will be finalised.
In summary, the position is not as the No to Nice campaign has continuously asserted. The doom-laden predictions about migration patterns from the applicant countries are not supported by the facts. The fears which the No to Nice campaign has sought to foster have been correctly labelled by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions as "a blatant attempt to frighten voters" and as "scare-mongering without any basis or justification". The National Consultative Council on Racism has rightly accused the No to Nice campaign as "alarmist".
The view propagated by the No to Nice campaign that Ireland will be uniquely defenceless to stop a flood of migrants after January 1st, 2004, is not based on any sensible appraisal of the facts, is not supported by any research, ignores the current reality of migration patterns, fails to take into account the body of existing European law on worker migration and is based on a misrepresentation of the position of the member-states.
On the issue of free movement, as in so much else, the No to Nice campaign is wrong. In the forthcoming referendum if we vote Yes we will all benefit. Nobody benefits from a No vote. - Yours. etc.,
DICK ROCHE TD, Minister of State
A Chara, - We are told that (1) that the Treaty of Nice is essential for the enlargement of the EU; (2) that it would be most selfish of us to stop enlargement by voting No.
As even experts differ on whether the treaty is needed for enlargement, I shall simply ask "What kind of EU is worth enlarging?"
The so-called "democratic deficit" in the EU seems to be merely a polite euphemism for a mild tyranny which, if not challenged, could yet become a truly oppressive dictatorship. As we are the only member-state whose population can vote on the issue, it is surely not selfish to take the opportunity to save both ourselves and all of Europe from this.
If we vote No, negotiations on a new treaty could yet result in a more democratic Europe, in which the rights of citizens and smaller member-states will be protected and even advanced. At the very least, EU leaders will no longer be able to ignore the concerns of the plain people of one small member-state. If we vote Yes, what guarantee can we have that this "democratic deficit" will ever be addressed and that the downward slide into dictatorship will be halted? - Is mise,
R. SEATHRÚN MAC ÉIN Dumhach Thrá, Baile Átha Cliath 4
Sir, - Now that the real truth is beginning to emerge, about the state of the public finances, is it now time to hold a second general election, similar to the second Nice referendum, because, like Nice, the pre-election misinformation has been exposed? - Yours, etc.,
JAMES MAHON, Harold's Cross, Dublin 6