Commissioner features at EU Dáil sessions

The EU Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel yesterday addressed the Dáil and answered questions from TDs during a special day devoted to European issues in which the normal business was suspended.

Ms Fischer Boel spoke in the chamber about a wide range of EU issues — particularly on agriculture — including the current round of negotiations at the World Trade Organisation, the dairy industry in Ireland, the problems posed by the demise of the sugar industry and the Nitrates Directive.

In another break from tradition, TDs were encouraged to speak without scripts and questions submitted by the public were answered by deputies.

Fianna Fáil’s Barry Andrews openly differed from the Taoiseach’s and the Government’s position on limiting access to Ireland to immigrants from the next EU accession countries, Bulgaria and Romania.

“I urge the Taoiseach and the Government to continue the open borders’ approach as regards EU member states. The debate has left those behind who have ideas about work permits for citizens of EU member states. It runs entirely against everything the European Union stands for, namely free movement of workers, free establishment and all the basic principles we signed up to,” he said.

The day’s debate ranged across a some major European issues. They included the experience of EU migrants in Ireland; the nature of the relationship between Europe and the world; development issues and humanitarian aid.