Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have every intention of ensuring that these issues are dealt with by the end of June. I would expect to have a memo for Government in the next couple of weeks. Assuming that I have the approval of Government, I would be happy to come back to this committee at an early date or at least to ensure that it will be familiar with the new regime.

The committee at least will be familiar with the new regime. The Deputy will be aware that the interim arrangements which applied from February were always interim on the basis of the striking down by the Supreme Court of the prohibition but I do not accept it was a breach. I accept that the interim arrangements reflected the current arrangements, which will continue to be in place in respect of regulation for applicants to work from outside the EU or third countries. The same access was applied as is the case for all third country nationals.

I am unable to give details of the new scheme because I need to have approval from Government for it. Were I to project now aspects that might not receive final approval, I would stand charged with misleading the committee. However, the new scheme will not involve work permits. Many of the submissions, calls and observations of the NGOs were taken into consideration, which was important. At all times, the submissions of NGOs, all of which are subvented by public moneys to facilitate their work, are taken seriously by Government and my Department. INIS offered to meet the group in question and the submission was accepted. Many aspects of the submissions will be reflected in the final announcement.