CONOR O'BRIEN,
Sir, - Although the debate on the rerun of the Nice referendum is now well under way, there is one major issue which has yet to be discussed. I refer to the question of the free movement of citizens of new EU member states.
Most of the existing member-states, including all of the larger countries, have reserved the right to restrict the access of citizens of new EU states (excluding Cyprus and Malta) for up to seven years from the date of accession.
Countries such as Germany, France, Italy and the UK have taken the view that immediate access could result in distortions to domestic labour markets.
In contrast, Ireland has already given written confirmation to each of the 12 applicant states of the 2004 grouping to the effect that their citizens will have full and free access to live and work here from the date of accession.
If the vast majority of existing EU member-states feel they need to reserve the right to introduce such a restriction, we can expect that significant numbers of people from new EU countries will wish to move west at the earliest opportunity.
These legal immigrants are likely to arrive here having travelled through several less hospitable EU countries on the way. Such a migration could have serious implications for a country the size of Ireland.
If the result of the referendum on the Treaty of Nice is to be reversed, then that commitment given through the precipitate action of our government will have to be reviewed. - Yours, etc.,
CONOR O'BRIEN,
Mount Anville Park,
Dublin 14.