Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The petition relates to people with a stamp 3 visa. The visa is issued to the spouses or partners of workers who have come to Ireland in response to a critical skills shortage and are effectively facilitating the growth of our economy and in many ways keeping the economy going. There is a very strong case for allowing those with a stamp 3 visa the right to work without having to go through the work permit system.

That would do justice to the families coming to Ireland and remove some of the related burden from the work permit system. I agree with the recommendation of the committee that we should keep the petition open. I note that the responses from the two Departments involved in this matter have been quite positive in terms of seeking to do something about it. It is important that the committee maintains its interest in this petition.