A citizen from each of ten countries trying to join the European Union were presented by the Alliance for Europe at Leinster House this morning.
The group is calling for a Yes vote in the upcoming referendum on the Treaty of Nice.
Speaking at a press conference Ms Kay Garvey of SIPTU said it was due to Ireland's membership of the EU since 1973 that legislation on the rights of workers and women's rights was introduced. She said workers in countries hoping to join the EU were dependent on Ireland's Yes vote.
Referring to the emphasis placed by the EU on the environment, Mr Frank Convery, who is Professor of Environment at UCD, said Ireland had a higher proportion of complaints over the environment than any other EU country. He said it was the EU's influence that encouraged the enforcement of environmental laws.
Ms Angela Kerins, speaking on behalf of the Disability Alliance, repeated the claim of improved conditions since Ireland's accession into the EU.
She said EU legislation was required to improve the "deplorable and inhumane conditions" under which people lived in over 7,500 institutions across Europe.
