Ireland would likely refuse giving Bulgarians and Romanians free access to its labour market, directly after the two countries join the EU.

The Irish cabinet would impose limitations because of worries over the international economy and misplacement of local laborers by East European workers, Bulgarian National Radio reported.

Ireland will take a decision on the issue in the autumn, a government representative said. The situation on the local labour market and the position of other EU members will shape the Irish decision.

Only Finland already announced it will grant Bulgarian and Romanian workers full access to its labour market directly after accession.

A labour market survey will be presented in Ireland in the end of the months. It is not expected to show trends of local labour misplacement, analysts said.

Nearly half of the 180 000 foreign workers, who came to Ireland from the 10 new member states in the past two years are from Poland. Local labour union representatives said international economic problems could slow down the production process and decrease the number of work places in the country.