Romanian nationals will not need visas to travel to Ireland from the middle of next year following negotiations involving the Irish, British and Romanian governments. Mark Hennessy reports.
The disclosure that such talks were taking place came following a meeting in Bucharest between the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the Romanian Prime Minister, Mr Adrian Nastase.
During a press conference, Mr Nastase said he expected that the visa rule would be dropped from May 2004. Mr Ahern said strengthened asylum and immigration rules had largely dealt with the difficulties caused in Ireland by Romanian illegal immigrants.
However, Irish officials travelling with Mr Ahern were quick to emphasise that all travel restrictions - including the need for Romanians to acquire work permits - would remain in place.
The number of Romanians deported from the Republic this year rose sharply, to more than 300, following the conclusion of a pact between Dublin and Bucharest to speed up the return of illegal immigrants. The new rules are working well, Mr Ahern said.