Ireland opens door to EU accession state workers

TENS of thousands of workers from Eastern Europe will be free to live and work in Ireland from May next year.

The Government has decided to allow citizens from 10 EU accession states to work here without requiring a permit or visa.

The decision, which sparked angry rows during last year's Nice Treaty debate, was welcomed by union and business leaders. Tánaiste Mary Harney said she decided not to implement a clause which would deny workers free access to the Irish labour market for up to seven years, as a sign of support for enlargement.