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Warm but weak welcome for Polish plumbers
February 16, 2006 4:00 PM
Local Lib Dem Euro MP Diana Wallis, says the Services Directive agreed by MEPs today in the European Parliament (Thursday 16 February) is timid and cautious.
She said: "All the fears and uncertainties about Europe lifting its barriers to business have been reflected in this vote, yet the European Commission estimates that 2.5 million jobs could be created if we open our markets fully to competition in the services sector.
Liberal Democrats pressed for the directive to include a wider range of service sectors but the Parliament voted for a much more limited package.
Diana Wallis MEP said: "The experience of Britain and Ireland in opening up our borders to people from the new EU member states has been almost wholly positive. Both businesses and consumers could do very well if it becomes easier to offer services across national boundaries.
"Today's vote is a warm but weak welcome for Polish plumber. At best it is a cautious step in the right direction. It is the basis for an early agreement between Ministers of the various EU nations who until now have been hopelessly divided, but a more ambitious package would have given us a real edge."
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