Workers influx - State must hold options on access

WITH Ireland being the only EU country allowing unfettered access for citizens from 10 new member states, in the wake of Britain’s setting stricter entry rules, the spectre of cheap labour flooding the market here is sure to be turned into a political football in the run-up to the June local elections.

And given the alarming spread of AIDS in Eastern Europe, this also casts something of a shadow over Ireland’s role as host to a major international conference aimed at combating HIV and AIDS, which ends today.

It would be wrong of this country to respond with a knee-jerk reaction by going down the same road as Britain where far-right elements have whipped up fears of tens of thousands of so-called benefit tourists.