It would be hard to predict when the limitations on access to the Irish labour market for Bulgarians and Romanians would be lifted, Irish State and European affairs minister Dick Roche said in an interview with Bulgarian news agency BTA on October 29.

We were one of the first countries to open the doors for the new EU members in 2004, he said. More than 100 000 arrived from Poland alone, Roche added. These people are welcome, they work for the growth of our national economy. Their participation has its cultural and socialaspects, Roche said.

Ireland's example was not followed by other EU countries. Personally I am in favour of an open-doors-policy, Roche said.

My position is well known to my former Bulgarian colleague Miglean Kuneva and I can say that our Prime minister Bertie Ahern shares this position, Roche said.